LIBRARY 

BUEEAU OF EDUCATION 







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I86I-I885 



Education in Colorado. 



A Brief History of the Early Educational Interests 

OF Colorado, Together with the History of the 

State Teachers' Association, and Short 

Sketches of Private and Denomi- 

f national Institutions. 



COMPILED BY ORDER OE THE STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIAT/OX. 



denver, colo.: 
News Printing Comp.\nv. 

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PREFACE. 

At the eleventh session of the Colorado State Teachers' 
Association, held at Denver, December 29, 30, and 31, 1884, 
among- the resolutions adopted was the following : 

Resolved, That the Hon. H. M. Hale, with two others whom 
he may appoint, shall constitute a committee, the duty of which 
shall be to prepare and print a pamphlet embodying the history 
of the schools of Colorado, and especially a history of this As.^o- 
ciation now just completing the tenth year of its life. 

In pursuance of the above. Superintendent Aaron Gove, of 
the public schools of District No. i, Arapahoe County, and Hon. 
Joseph C. Shattuck, late State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, were called to aid in the work proposed. 

The committee thus formed deemed it advisable to preface 
the history of the schools and of the Association with a summary 
of the history of the early settlement of the State, sufficient, at 
least, to form an introduction. 

The fact that Colorado has just fairly completed the first 
quarter of a century of her existence, under the present regime, 
makes the publication of this volume seem especially opportune 
and desirable, to the end that future generations may have the 
essential facts relating to the early schools, and these compiled by 
living participants. 

In performing the work assigned them, the committee have 
not striven to be exhaustive ; on the contrary, the endeavor has 
been to be as concise as would be consistent with the end 
sought. 

Their work is respectfully submitted with the hope that it 
will meet the approval of the Association and of the friends of 
popular education throughout the State. 

Horace M. Hale, 
Aaron Gove, 
Joseph C. Shattuck, 

Committee. 



Part I. 

History of Early Educational Interests 
of Colorado. 



.ARLY Educational Interests. 



CHAPTER I. 

A LITTLE GENERAL HISTORY. 

Prior to the year of our Lord 1859 little was known, by civ- 
ilized America, of the region now embraced by the boundaries of 
Colorado. That there existed, between the then Western bound- 
ary of civilization and the Rocky Mountains, a vast, unsettled 
and almost unexplored country belongmg to the United States, 
was generally understood. It was known that, while under the 
administration of Thomas Jefferson, in 1803, the Government pur- 
chased from France, for ;^ 1 5 ,000,000, an immense area of almost 
unknown land; also that later, in 1848, it had acquired by treaty 
with Mexico, territory to the southwest which, if less extensive 
than the Louisiana purchase, was equally valueless. A very large 
portion of the country here referred to was, as late as 1840, 
described in the school atlases of the day, and was known, as 
"The Great American Desert." 

Soon after the purchase of the French territory, the United 
States Government sent Zebulon Pike (1806), with a few soldiers, 
to explore what is now a part of Colorado, and later (1819) 
Colonel S. H. Long on a similar mission farther north. Still later 
(1832) the American Fur Company sent Captain Bonneville. In 
1842 and 1844 John C. Fremont, under the auspices of the Gov- 
ernment, passed through this region eii route to the South Pass 
and Oregon. Besides these expeditions, a few fur traders visited 
the Rocky Mountain region and established forts or trading posts 
on the Arkansas and Platte Rivers. Even prior to the Mexican 
war, quite an active trade was carried on, by means of caravans, 
between the Western limits of American civilization and Santa 
Fe — the outpost and trade center of Northern Mexico. 



Previous to 1 846, the Mexican Government had donated to 
Colorado Vigil and St. Vrain, an extensive grant of land lying 
south of the Arkansas River, known as the " Las Animas Land 
Grant." Colonel Bent had established a trading post on the 
Arkansas, which served as a place of refuge and defense in after 
years against the Indians. A few Mexicans had, prior to 1858, 
settled near the southern boundary of Colorado, on the Las Ani- 
mas River, and a colony of fifty or more formed the settlement 
of Conejos, where a Jesuit Mission School was established. With 
the exception of the early Government explorers, the fur traders, 
trainmen, California emigrants, Mexicans, and perhaps a few Mor- 
mons — not forgetting the ancient Aztecs, whose records are still 
to be read in the Cliff Houses of the southwestern counties — 
Colorado had received very little civilizing influence prior to 
the date of what may properly be called its present civilization, 
or the advent of Green Russell's party of Georgians in June, 1858- 

The acquisition of California from Mexico, followed almost 
immediately, as it was, by the discovery of gold there, led to its 
marvelously rapid settlement by Americans, and also to more 
extended explorations for the precious metals in other portions 
of the newly acquired territory; not such superficial, horseback 
explorations as history informs us were made by Vasquez 
Coroando, in 1540, but such as had proved remunerative to 
intelligent, practical miners in California. 

As above stated. Green Russell's party made their advent in 
June, 1858. They had acquired a mining experience in their 
native State and in California. They prospected quite carefully 
all the tributaries of the Platte, and found gold, in small quanti- 
ties, almost everywhere ; their best results were obtained about 
six miles above Denver, in a dry gulch, which they christened 
" Montana Diggings." Finding sufficient evidence there to justify 
them in believing that better might be found elsewhere, they 
returned to the Missouri River for supplies, carrying the proof of 
their discoveries. 

In the spring of 1859, there was a great rush to the new 
El Dorado. Exaggerated reports of the wonderful gold deposits 



— 9 — 

that had been discovered by the Russell party in the " Pike's 
Peak" region had spread over the country, as such reports 
usually spread. Adventurers rushed in by hundreds, only to 
become disgusted and to turn again their faces Eastward, without 
even unloading their wagons, stubbornly refusing to sell, at 
extravagant prices, their surplus provisions to those whom they 
accused of encouraging the fraud. The greater portion, however, 
of these pioneers, in some instances from necessity, and in some 
from choice, remained to make more extended researches. 
Nearly all were inexperienced in gold hunting ; many could not 
tell gold when they saw it. The following extract from " Fossett's 
Colorado" graphically portrays the peculiarities of the vanguard 
of Colorado's civilization : 

"With the spring and summer of 1859, came a stampede 
Westward to the land of promise, such as has never been equalled, 
except in the case of California. Over the broad expanse of six 
hundred miles of plains, passed an almost continuous stream of 
humanity. The talismanic legend " gold " had created a fever 
and enthusiasm that no distance or hardships could repress, no 
danger or difficulty dispel ; and so all routes over this ocean ot 
dust and solitude were lined with caravans, and with pilgrims 
weary and footsore, but ever hopeful of the land and future before 
them. That many were doomed to disappointment is told in the 
unwritten history of this as well as of all other mining excite- 
ments. The roving, advanturous spirits that formed the vanguard 
in the settlement of Colorado came largely from the better and 
more enterprising classes of the East, West and South. There 
was a smattering of good, bad, and indifferent characters, all 
equally desirous of bettering their fortunes, which in many cases 
could not have been worse. Probably over fifty thousand men 
aided, in this eventful year, to enlarge that ' Western trail of immi- 
gration, which bursts into States and empires as it moves.' 

" The wide awake speculator, the broken-down merchant, 
the farmer, mechanic, gambler, or the wanderer from foreign 
lands, the cultivated and the illiterate, all combined to swell the 
human tide that was setting in so strongly for the new land of 



gold out toward the setting sun. While many were admirably 
adapted to settle and reclaim a wilderness, large numbers soon 
became discouraged, and returned whence they came ; but this 
could not arrest the progress of the oncoming multitude that 
followed. Probably nineteen twentieths of those goldseekers 
were as ignorant and inexperienced as regards mining as they 
well could be, and had but a faint idea of the work to be done or 
the hardships to be undergone in this wild rush for wealth." 

After discovering gold in small quantities on South Boulder 
and South Clear Creek, near Idaho Springs, in 1859, followed 
by the grand discovery of the " Gregory Diggings " made by 
John H. Gregory, an experience'd California miner, near the pres- 
ent sites of Central City and Black Hawk, in Gilpin County, 
matters assumed an aspect of permanence, and those who came 
to look resolved to stay ; before the close of the year an effort 
was made to form a Territorial Government ; some enthusiast 
declared for a State Government at once, deeming it unnecessary 
to pass through the intermediate stage of a Territory. They even 
went so far as to submit to the people a State constitution ; this 
was voted down by a very large majority. 

An attempt was then made to organize a Territory to be 
known as "Jefferson," and a delegate was sent to Congress to 
urge its recognition; this project failing, the people were forced 
to be content with asking for a recognition in the Kansas Legis- 
lature. In this they were so far successful as to induce the Legis- 
lature to form the County of Arapahoe, embracing all the western 
part of Kansas and extending to the Snowy Range. " Arapahoe 
County, Kansas," was the region styled until i86r. 

Lode mining began to supplement gulch mining. The 
famous Bob-Tail and Gregory lodes were large producers, and 
Gilpin County was found to be a complete gridiron of veins, each 
of which was believed, by its owner, to be a reservoir of limitless 
wealth. One hundred linear feet on a lode was deemed sufficient 
to make a Croesus of its owner ; therefore the miners decreed 
that that should be the extent of a claim ; the discoverer, how- 
ever, might locate two such claims. 



The more prosperous camps soon became over-crowded, and 
when the fact became patent that every claim was not a bonanza, 
parties gradually drifted into unexplored regions, so that, in due 
time, miner's cabins and tents, and sluice boxes and windlasses 
were to be seen on nearly every stream in the mountains. Towns 
sprang into existence in a day, and in some instances were as 
quickly abandoned. The miners themselves were the makers, 
expounders, and executors of the local laws ; no higher authority 
was sought or recognized. Here was a perfect, practical illustra- 
tion of a pure democracy. Whenever an exigency arose, the 
people assembled and made the laws viva voce, and not unfre- 
quently executed them with as little formality ; yet "vice did not 
prevail," nor did "impious men bear sway." Thus it was, until 
February 26, 1861, when, Kansas having been admitted into the 
Union, Congress organized the Territory of Colorado, covering 
the same area as now, and limited by the thirty-seventh and forty- 
first parallels of north latitude, and the one hundred and second 
and one hundred and ninth meridians of west longitude. William 
Gilpin was sent as governor; a census taken showed a population 
of 25,329 — 4,484 of whom were women, with a sufficient number 
of children to at least suggest the approaching need of schools. 
Denver, being the entrepot for immigrants, and the outfitting 
post for miners and prospectors, had become a city of no mean 
proportions ; brick buildings had taken the places of tents and 
temporary shanties; large business houses had been established, 
and even a mint —where gold was coined — by Clark, tiruber & 
Co. Not less than three banks were loaning money at from 5 to 
20 per cent, per month, and yet there was no urgent demand for 
a school. 

We have thus briefly presented the story of Colorado's 
infancy, not so much with the view of giving its history, as of 
furnishing a foundation upon which to base the chief purpose of 
this volume; viz., its school history and the history of the State 
Teachers' Association. 



CHAPTER II. 

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS. 

Among the acts passed by the First Legislative Assembly 
of Colorado, held at Denver, in i86i, was a very comprehensive 
school law, similar in its provisions to that then in force in the 
State of Illinois. This law provided for the appointment, by the 
Governor, during that session, of a " Territorial Superintendent of 
Common Schools," who was to enter upon the duties of his office 
on the first day of December, i86i, and to continue until his 
successor was duly appointed and qualified ; he was to receive an 
annual .salary of I500. The duties were minutely prescribed and 
were similar to those now imposed on the State Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, with the additional duty of recommending 
to the several school districts a uniform series of text books, to be 
used in the schools thereof As a matter of course, the Superin- 
tendent could accomplish little. The impulses of the people were 
in the right direction, but the essential elements of success — 
children — were wanting. Some of the first school di.stricts organ- 
ized were as large as States, while the school population num- 
bered less than a score. 

The law provided for the election, biennially, of a County 
Superintendent in each County, and in its general features was 
not essentially different from that of the present. 

At the second session of the Legislature, begun at Colorado 
City, July 7, 1862, and adjourned to Denver, July 1 1, the ordinary 
school revenue was sought to be supplemented by enacting " That 
hereafter when any new mineral lode, of either gold bearing 
quartz, silver, or other valuable metal, shall be discovered in this 
Territory, one claim of one hundred feet in length on such lode 
shall be set apart and held in perpetuity for the use and benefit of 
schools in this Territory, subject to the control of the Legislative 
Assembly." 



— 13 — 

This law seemed at the time to promise much for the schools, 
but the results proved to be insignificant; not one per cent, of the 
thousands of claims so located ever contributed a dollar to the 
school fund ; a few were sold at prices ranging from five to 
twenty-five dollars. 

By virtue of the provisions of the law of 1861, Mr. W. J. 
Curtice was, by Governor Gilpin, appointed "Territorial Superin- 
tendent of Common Schools" and entered upon the duties of his 
office December 1st of that year. Mr. Curtice, in the introduc- 
tion to the school law, published for the use of school officers, 
says : " The First Legislative Assembly of Colorado, entrusted 
with the important and varied duties of establishing law and 
government for our Territory, were not unmindful of its educa- 
tional interests, and enacted the school law herewith published. 
That it should be free from imperfections could not reasonably be 
expected. The school laws of many of our older States, passed 
after mature deliberation, and amended, as experience dictated 
from year to year, are still far from perfect. Time and experience, 
while bringing to light the faults of the present law, will also 
suggest many improvements, better adapting it to the peculiar 
requirements of popular education in our new Territory. It now 
remains for the people and their duly chosen school ofificers, to 
immitate the commendable zeal of the Legislative Assembly in 
behalf of education, by carrying into effect the school law and 
inaugurating a public school system in every county of the Terri- 
tory. In discharging this duty, we shall not only remove a great 
barrier — want of schools — to the rapid settlement of the country, 
but will be developing an educational system among us, for the 
future, of greater value than the gold of our mountains, and a 
better safeguard to society than the electrive franchise or stand- 
ing armies." 

It must be borne in mind that the early settlement of Colo- 
rado was somewhat anomalous. The pioneers and immigrants of 
other new regions — Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, etc. — were fmnilies, 
seeking permanent homes, while those of Colorado were fortune- 
hunting men only, whose wives and children were left behind. 



— 14 — 

whose highest ambition and only intentions were to remain here 
long enough to gather wealth with which to return and enjoy. 
Schools were not, to them, of much importance, even if there had 
been the material from which to make them. This condition of 
things is clearly reflected in Mr. Curtice's instructions to County 
Superintendents. He says : " In entering upon the discharge 
of your duties you may find, owing to the absorbing character of 
the pursuits of many of our people, and the intense application 
with which every business is followed, that comparatively slight 
regard will be paid to the interests of education in many locali- 
ties; and the same might be observed of any other interest uncon- 
vertible immediately into money. You may not meet with that 
ready co-operation of the mass of the community in your work 
that would be desirable ; yet, while such a state of things may 
induce a disposition to withhold time and labor, you will, on the 
other hand, find no people more ready to contribute the one thing 
most needful — material aid — in establishing schools in their 
midst. While our people are more awake to their individual 
interests than communities elsewhere, no people can be found 
more alive to the importance of good schools — none who will 
contribute more liberally to sustain them. 

" Bearing these facts in mind, as well as the vast importance 
of the work in which you are engaged, referring to the law for 
your guide and authority, be zealous and active in the discharge 
of your duties and you will be successful." 

To the people generally the Superintendent continues : " The 
lesson first taught by our early statesmen, and successfully 
enforced by the good and wise who have succeeded them, is sub- 
stantially this : ' That in proportion as every nation has been 
enlightened and educated so has been its prosperity. When the 
heads and hearts of men are generally cultivated and improved, 
virtue and wisdom must reign, and vice and ignorance cease to 
prevail ; virtue and wisdom are the parents of private and public 
happiness ; vice and ignorance, of private and public misery. 
This lesson having been taught by the wise and good since the 
foundation of our Government, and having been carried into prac- 



— 15 — 

tice in the establishment of schools for the education of the chil- 
dren of the mass of the people in a majority of our States, has 
produced results in the extension of prosperity, intelligence, 
and happiness exceeding the hopes of the most sanguine, and of 
anything before seen in the history of the world. While such, 
however, has been the case in a majority of the States loyal to 
the Government and constitution of the country, it is equally true 
that a minority of the States have, to a great extent, been deaf to 
the teachings of our own greatest statesmen, and while educating 
the few, have neglected the many ; while alive to the pecuniary 
and political advantages of the few, have been dead to the inter- 
ests of the common schools and the instruction thereby of the 
children of the masses. As might have been, and as was antici- 
pated by the great statesmen of the past, the time has come when 
they have proved themselves disloyal to their Government, and are 
to-day engaged in an attempt to effect its overthrow. While their 
energies are directed with the power of desperation against the 
life of the nation, in the field, the anathemas of their orators and 
the sarcasm of their politicians are directed against the school 
systems of the loyal States. But it rejoices the heart of the 
patriot to believe that the enlightened power of the people, which 
has made our country what it is, is also equal to the work of 
maintaining it ; and that the day is not far distant when those 
now in rebellion, learning how vain the attempt to effect its over- 
throw, will gladly return to the allegiance of a Government that 
has always been a friend and protector of all its citizens." 

The quotation from the words of Colorado's first Superintend- 
ent of Schools are reproduced here, not wholly for the true sen- 
timicnts contained, but as reflecting, in a measure, the condition of 
affairs, both local and national, at the time the foundation of Col- 
orado's schools was being laid ; very little indeed, as might well 
have been expected, was accomplished in the matter of super- 
structure during the first administration. The number of school 
children within the boundaries of the entire territory were not 
sufficient, had they been gathered into one district, to have formed 
a first-class district of to-day. Nevertheless there was a begin- 
ning-, and a eood one. 



— i6 — 

Mr. Curtice resigned his office in 1863, and William S. 
Walker was appointed to the vacancy. Mr. Walker left no rec- 
ords of his doings, and the presumption is that little or nothing was 
done in the office, probably from the fact, as above stated, of an 
insufficiency of working material. 

At the fourth session of the Legislature, held at Golden City, 
in 1865, the school law was amended, making the Territorial 
Treasurer ex officio Superintendent of Public Instruction, with an 
annual salary of ;^500, and also fixing the compensation of 
County Superintendents at $^ a day for actual services ; prior to 
this the Superintendent was paid such a sum as the County Com- 
missioners saw fit to allow. By this last enactment the Superin- 
tendency fell into the hands of Mr. A. W. Atkins, Territorial 
Treasurer at that time. There are no reports of his official work. 
The same may be said of his successors in 1866 and 1867. At 
the fifth session of the Legislature, begun at Golden City, 
January i, and adjourned to Denver January 2, 1866, a law was 
passed making it a misdemeanor to jump mineral claims that had 
been set apart for schools, or for failing to relinquish such claims 
as had previously been pre-empted ; also, providing for the sale 
and leasing of school claims, and the investment of the proceeds 
in United States bonds ; also, for giving to the colored people a 
pro rata share of the school fund for the maintenance of separate 
schools. 

In December, 1867, Mr. Columbus Nuckolls, by virtue of 
his office as Territorial Treasurer, became Superintendent. His 
deputy, Mr. E. L. Berthoud, evidently set out with a determina- 
tion to bring order out of chaos; still but little was accomplished, 
as will appear from the statement below made to the Legislature, 
November 20, 1867. This being the first semblance of a school 
report in existence, it is deemed worthy of a place here in full : 



.^^3 




fk 




17 



ANNUAL REPORT 

of the superintendent of public instruction of colorado. 

Office of Territorial Supt. ~| 

OF Public Instruction, v 

Golden City, Colo. T., Nov. 20, 1867. j 

To the Honorable Legislature of Colorado Territory : 

Gentlemen: — I have the honor to submit the following 
report of the condition of the public schools of the Territory of 
Colorado, for the year 1 867. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Columbus Nuckolls, 
Ter. Treas. and Supt. Tub. Ins. 

statement. 

The reports required by law from the several counties of this 
Territory have, up to date, been received only from two — Pueblo 
and Clear Creek Counties — which, consequently, gives me no 
material upon which I can give the summary of our Territorial 
schools as required by law. I regret this the more as my deputy 
and assistant, E. L. Berthoud, began in March, 1867, to require 
reports of all matters pertaining to our public schools throughout 
the Territory. To aid and facilitate this, he caused to be printed 
and personally sent and arranged reports in blank of all the 
minutiae, and all matters of interest relating to our public schools, 
and has distributed them to all the counties, with instructions 
complete, to enable them to be promptly filled out and returned. 
Together with the required school reports, he sent blank reports, 
in accordance with Territorial law, upon which the school mining 
claims, numbered, named and described, could be reported to the, 
Territorial Treasurer and Superintendent of Public Instruction. 
In this, however, I have met with no success, receiving reports 
only from Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties, which, up to date, 
have alone complied with the law. 



I would respectfully suggest to the Hon. Legislature, that, 
inasmuch as the laws of the Territory, in reference to school 
mining claims, are either disregarded or disputed, and the dispo- 
sition of the same and of the proceeds of their sale not properl)' 
attended to, and the generous provisions of our Territorial laws, 
in respect to the special school fund, not adequately guarded or 
guaranteed to the school fund, that the management, disposition 
and care of the same in the several mining counties be more rigidly 
defined and placed beyond the contingency of careless and irre- 
sponsible acts, or the indifference of those whose ill-paid services 
do not incite to more vigilant care of such precious funds as those 
that accrue to our common schools from the sale of school mining 
claims. It has been suggested that the bonds of County Superin- 
tendents might be submitted for examination and approval to the 
Territorial Treasurer and Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
before their acts in relation to the sale and disposition of the school 
property could be either begun or consummated. I would also 
state that several counties have never, even when requested, 
informed the Superintendent of Public Instruction who was or 
who had been County Superintendent, and that it is not yet 
known to him whether there are any, in those counties, whose 
bonds have been filed, or whether there is any responsible county 
organization. 

The laws of our Territory prescribe certain reports and returns 
to be made yearly, or when asked for by the Territorial Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, but there is no penalty available to 
compel such, if neglected. We would respectfully ask that a law 
be passed, empowering the Superintendent to ask for reports of 
school funds, mining claims, and all expenditures, at any time, if 
not punctually made. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Columbus Nuckolls. 
Terr. Treas. and Sitpt. Pub. Ins. 

It will be seen from the above that even as late as 1867, 



— 19 — 

there was far from being a system of schools ; and also, from the 
report reproduced below, that two years more of time had pro- 
duced but little improvement : 



SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. 

Office Territorial Supt. Public Instruction, \ 
Denver, Colo., December 25, 1869. j 

To the Hoiorablc Legislature of Colorado Territory : 

Gentlemen : — I have the honor to submit the following 
report of the condition of the public schools of the Territory of 
Colorado: 

Upon examining the reports of the County Superintendents 
which are by law required to be made to the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, I find that nearly every one complains that the 
Secretaries of the District Boards fail to include in their reports 
all the items which the law requires, and in many cases have 
entirely neglected to make any report, and I am unable to give 
any reliable statistics relative to the number of schools, teachers, 
or pupils. 

I have distributed to the County Superintendents copies of 
the school law and blank reports, and have endeavored to have 
them become familiar with their duties, in order that our school 
system might be rendered uniform throughout all the counties of 
the Territory. 

In the execution of the school laws I find several defects, to 
the correction of which I would respectfully call your attention, 

The law requires the County Superintendent to give a cer- 
tificate to teachers after examination, authorizing them to teach a 
public school in his county for one year. I would suggest that 
the law be so amended as to read " not exceeding one year," and 
thus leave it in the power of County Superintendents to grant 
certificates for a shorter period than one year. 

I think it should also be made the duty of the County 
Superintendent to make a record of the name, age and date of 



-^20 — 

examination, of all persons examined by them, distinguishing 
between those to whom they issue certificates and those rejected. 

The county shool tax is now apportioned among the differ- 
ent school districts, in proportion to the number of persons 
therein between the ages of 5 to 21 years, thus giving the same 
proportions of money to districts in which no schools are held, 
as to those which maintain schools throughout the entire year. 
■ I would suggest that the law be amended so as to make the 
number of pupils attending schools in the district for the previous 
year the basis for the apportionment. 

Some steps should be taken for the formation of District 
Libraries, and some plan devised to compel the Secretaries of the 
District Boards to make their reports to the County Superintend- 
ents more promptly, and some penalty prescribed where the 
County Superintendents fail to report to the Territorial Superin- 
tendent within the time required by law. 

The increasing population of our Territory renders it impera- 
tive that our school system should receive attention, and that the 
monies collected for .school purposes in the different counties 
should be judiciously applied. 

Some appropriation should be made for the purpose of 
printing the different blanks requisite for the use of the County 
Superintendents, and the officers of the District Boards. 

I would recommend to your honorable body the propriety 
of making the office of School Superintendent a separate and 
distinct office, as our population and large increase of children in 
the Territory seem to demand that the office of School Superin- 
tendent be a separate office, and a competent Superintendent of 
Public Instruction be appointed or elected, and paid a sufficient 
salary to give our Territorial school system his individed atten- 
tion. All of which is most respectfully submitted. 
Your Obedient Servant, 

Columbus Nuckolls, 
School Siiperintendent of Colorado. 



The chaotic condition of school affairs continued until 1870. 
It was no uncommon thing for the school funds to be misappro- 
priated by both county and district officers. The burden of the 
songs of nearly all, who were by law required to make reports 
was about the same: "Lack of interest," "My predecessor in 
office has left no records," " I hope to get matters in shape so as 
to render a complete account next year," " School matters here 
are in a very bad condition ; for the past two years the County 
Commissioners have neglected to levy a school tax, hence we 
have no money," etc., etc. 

The successors of those thus reporting would write to the 
same effect. 

From the fragmentary documents found in the State Super- 
intendent's office, the following grains of interest have been 
gathered; to which has been added, so far as the same could be 
ascertained, the time of the opening of the first school and of the 
erection of the first school house in each county. No effort has 
been made to fix these initial points subsequent to the year 1870. 
The important events that have occurred since the year named 
are to be found in the published biennial reports of the several 
Superintendents of Public Instruction, hence it is not necessary 
to chronicle them here. 

Arapahoe County. — Omer O. Kent, Superintendent, reports, 
in 1869 : Receipts from the Treasurer of the county, ;^i 1,052.20 ; 
expenditures, ;^7, 824.07 ; balance on hand, ^3,228.13. He says : 
"District No. i, (East Denver,) has at times been paying rent for 
four different buildings, and for the most of the time the late 
Board was acting, three buildings have been used for school pur- 
poses and six teachers employed. The enumeration of the county 
shows the number of persons therein, between the ages of 5 and 
21 years, to be 1,139; teachers employed in the county, sixteen 
in public schools and nearly as many more in seminaries and 
private schools." 

The first public school in this county was opened in the 
winter of 1862, and was taught by a Mr. Lamb and Miss Indiana 
Sopris. Mr. O. J. Goldrick kept a small private school in the 



summer of 1859. The first public school house was built in 
1 87 1, on Arapahoe street, between Sixteenth and Seventeenth 
streets. 

Bent Comity. — In 1869, Miss Mattie Smith taught a private 
school. 

Boulder County. — Robert J. Woodward, Superintendent, 

1868, reported thirteen districts, 439 persons of school age, sal- 
aries from ^30 to ^100 a month. 

The first public school opened in i860, Mr. A. R. Brown, 
teacher. Mr. Brown had taught a private school the winter 
before. The first school house was built in the fall of i860. 
This is claimed to be the first school house built in the Territory 
— a one-room frame building, which was used also for town and 
church purposes. 

Clear Creek County. — William M. Clark, Superintendent, 

1869, reported amount of teachers' fund expended, ^2,050; on 
hand, ^755.97; number of schools, 5; teachers employed, 5; 
persons of school age, 255 ; attending school, 157. District No. 
5 has built a first-class school house at a cost of ;^2,300. 

Conejos County. — The Sisters of Loretto kept a private 
school in 1870. 

Custer Connty. — The first school was opened in 1870, at Col- 
fax, and taught by William Dyrenforth ; in the same year was 
built the first school house. 

El Paso County. — R. Douglass, Superintendent, 1868, 
reported 6 districts, 235 persons of school age, salaries of teach- 
ers from ^40 to ^60 per month. The first school was opened at 
Colorado City. 

Fremont County. — W. R. Fowler, Superintendent, reported, 
1869, 7 districts, 180 persons of school age, salaries from ^40 to 
$75 a month, and "a general indifference in the matter of 
schools." 

Gilpin County. — Thomas Campbell reported, 1868, 5 school 
districts, 639 persons of school age, i school house, worth ;^200, 
9 teachers, salaries from ^50 to ^150 a month. The first school 
taught in this county was a private school, by Miss Ellen F. Ken- 



— 23 — 

dall, in her father's house, in the fall of 1862. A public school 
was soon after opened, and Miss Kendall gave up her 
school to assist Mr. Thomas Campbell in its management. In 
this county was built, 1870, the first permanent school houses in 
Colorado. Central City built a granite house at a cost of $20,000, 
and Black Hawk, a frame, costing $15,000. 

Huerfano County. — Benjamin Doss, Superintendent, wrote, 
1869: "Being the first Superintendent in the County, I am at a 
loss to know how to proceed. * * "''I have formed four 
districts, two of them have schools." 

Jefferso]i County. — M. C. Kirby, Superintendent, reported, 
1868, 10 districts, 429 persons of school age, salaries from $33.33 
to $87.50. 

The first school (private) was taught at Golden City, in the 
winter of i860, by Mr. J. Daugherty, 18 pupils attended. The 
first public school was opened in the same district, in 1863, taught 
by Miss Bell Dixon. In 1863 a one-story brick school house 
was built, which was used also by the Governor as an office. It 
was burned, and another was built on the site. 

Larimer County. — James M. Smith, Jr., Superintendent, 
reported, 1868, 3 school districts, 75 persons of school age, and 
$160 on hand. The first school (private) was taught in 1864, near 
the present site of Loveland, by Mrs. A. L. Washburn ; her pat- 
rons paid her $10 a month. The first public school was opened 
in the winter of 1865, near Loveland, and taught by Mr. Edward 
Smith. In 1863 a log school house was built by contributors of 
labor and material. La Porte also opened a public school in 
1865. 

Park County. — Louis F. Valiton; Superintendent, reports, 
1867, that he has just been appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned 
by the resignation of H. A. W. Tabor. Oliver P. Allen, Super- 
intendent, 1869, reports 2 districts, 64 persons of school age, sal- 
aries from $50 to $75 a month. 

Pueblo County. — Rev. Charles H. Kirkbride, Superintendent, 
reports, 1867, 301 persons of school age, i school of 38 pupils, 



— 24 — 

and a small private school. The first school in the county was 
a private one, kept by a Mr. Rickart, in 1862; the first pub- 
lic school was opened in 1863 — both in Pueblo. 

Saguache County. — A. C. Patton, Superintendent, 1869, says: 
" I am the first who has qualified for the office of School Super- 
intendent. * * * There are now 30 children, English and Span- 
ish, between the ages of 5 and 21 years, and ^500 in the hands 
of the County Treasurer." 

Summit County. — The first school (private) was taught in 
Lincoln City, in 1862, by W. R. Pollock. The first public school 
was opened in Breckenridge, in the summer of 1870, and taught 
b}- Mr. Ira Clark. The first school house was built at the same 
time and place. 

Weld County. — D. J. P'ulton, Superintendent, reported, 1868, 
10 districts, 61 persons of school age, and $2,000 apportioned to 
the several districts. 

Thus has the story of Colorado's early schools been briefly 
told up to the year 1870. With this year there seemed to have 
begun a new era — a transition, as it were, from infancy to youth ; 
temporary measures and temporary structures gave way to per- 
manency. The advent of the railroad this year seemed like a 
new birth ; the effects of the success of the smelting works at 
Black Hawk, which had been in operation two years, were being- 
felt. Confidence and stability began to supplant doubt and make- 
shifts ; it had been completely demonstrated that Colorado was 
to become more than a mere mining camp, or a series of them. 
The favorable results of irrigation had demonstrated beyond a 
doubt that farming was, ultimately, to play an important part 
in the settlement of this region. Irrigating canals of great 
extent were projected, colonies were founded, immigration 
increased, and all circumstances tended towards the upbuilding of 
a great commonwealth. Costly public school houses sprang up 
as if by magic. Following those of Central City and Black 
Hawk, were the still finer structures of Denver, Greeley, Gol- 
den, Colorado Springs and Georgetown. Private and sectarian 
schools and seminaries kept pace with the public schools. 




^vi 





^^fe^^ 



— 25 — 

The Legislature of 1870 made provision for a State School 
of Mines, to be located at Golden City, and also established the 
office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The act provided 
that the Governor, by and with the consent of the Legislative 
Assembly, should appoint a suitable person to said office, who 
should hold the same two years and receive a salary of $1,000 a 
year. 

By virtue of this enactment. Governor E. M. McCook ap- 
pointed Wilbur C. Lothrop Superintendent of Public Instruction. 
Superintendent Lothrop published his first report December 20, 
1 87 1, covering the years 1 870-1. Mr. Lothrop was re-appointed 
to the office by Governor Elbert, in 1872, and continued until 
July, 1873, when he resigned, and Horace M. Hale was called to 
the vacancy. In 1874 Governor Elbert re-appointed Mr. Hale, 
and in 1876 Governor Routt continued him in the office, which 
he held until November, 1876, when Joseph C. Shattuck, who 
had been elected by the people under the provisions of the State 
Constitution, assumed its duties. Mr. Shattuck was again elected 
in 1878. In 1880 Leonidas S. Cornell was elected to the office. 
In 1882 Mr. Shattuck again was chosen, and in 1884 Mr. Cornell 
was elected, who is still (1886) the incumbent. 

As a matter of^onvenient reference, in the future, it is deemed 
best to give here the line of succession to the Superintendent's 
office, notwithstanding the fact that it reaches beyond the period 
intended to be covered by this narration. 

These officers have all published biennial reports, giving in 
detail the condition and progress of the public schools during 
their respective administrations ; hence it is not deemed neces- 
sary to continue this history further. In 1885, during the admin- 
istration of Horace M Hale the State Teachers' Association was 
organized, whose proceedings, at each of its annual sessions, it is 
the province of this volume to record. 



Part II. 

History of the Colorado State Teachers' 
Association. 

1875-1885. 



History of the A 



SSOCIATION, 



The history of the Colorado State Teachers' Association 
begins with December 28, 1875. The detailed proceedings of 
the first meeting are here printed. 

Time has demonstrated the wisdom and intelligence of the 
members of that Association. Questions of vital moment were 
asked and discussed. Resolutions embodying the sense of the 
assembly were the basis of the subsequent action of the State 
Constitutional Convention and of the First State Legislature, 
and every recommendation made by the State Teachers' Associa- 
tion at that time was accepted by the State constitutional and 
legislative bodies. 

That the public school system of Colorado is one of the 
best in the land is generally conceded ; the heartiness of support 
from the people of the State is one great cause of its usefulness, 
but without the forming and guiding hand of men and women 
whose education^nd experience had prepared them intelligently 
to direct the initial movements, the schools of Colorado could 
not have reached so high a plane. 

The list of members herewith presented contains the names 
of many who can still be found enrolled as teachers, while others 
have drifted from that vocation to other lands and other works. 

The number of prominent citizens not regularly in the pro- 
fession that took part in the proceedings of the first meeting, 
indicates the interest of the public at that time in the common 
schools of Colorado. 

A few names stand out bright above all others, noticeably 
that of Horace M. Hale, the then Territorial Superintendent, the 
work of whose hand and heart is evident to-day in every impor- 
tant result in the educational history of the State. Intimate in 
the beginning with the needs of the community, and with intelli- 



^ 



— 3o — 

gence and judgment unexcelled, he has assisted in framing and 
supporting all that is good and efficient in the school history of 
Colorado. He was the first President of the Association. 
The proceedings of the first meeting are here detailed. 

High School Building, I 

Denver, Colo, December 28, 1875. j 

In pursuance of the following call about 150 teachers and 
friends of education, of Colorado, met in convention at the High 
School building, Denver, December 28, 1875 : 

Office Supt. Public Intsruction, | 
Denver, Colo, November 25, 1875. J 

On the 28th of December, proximo, the Superintendents, 
teachers and friends of public schools will meet in convention at 
the High School, Denver, and remain in session three days. 
Questions involving the welfare of our school system will be 
discussed and such measures adopted as may tend to perfect the 
same. Especially will the necessity of a thorough revision of 
our school law be considered, etc., etc. A State Teachers' Asso- 
ciation will be organized and a portion of the time devoted to 
institute work. 

All are urgently invited to be present and to use their 
influence to induce others, both male and female, to attend. The 
meeting will be an important one, and, doubtless, one of profit to 
those attending. We hope that every county will be largely and 
ably represented. 

H. M. Hale, 
Supl. Public Instntction. 

The convention was called to order at 2 o'clock p. m. by 
Hon. H. M. Hale, Territorial Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion. 

The doxology, 'commencing with " Praise God, from whom 
all blessings flow," was then sung by the audience, Miss Nannie 
O. Smith presiding at the piano. 



— 31 — 

Prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Lord, of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

The audience then joined in singing the ever popular song 
of America, 

" My country 'tis of thee. 
Sweet land of liberty. " 

Superintendent Hale then addressed the convention, stating 
the object for which the call had been issued. His highest 
anticipations were more than realized, in regard to the number 
and character of those who had personally responded to his call. 
Certainly no stronger evidence could be adduced that Colorado 
has earnest and capable workers in the great cause of popular 
education. It was not intended that this should be a meeting for 
what more properly belongs to institute work, but if, after the con- 
vention work was completed, there was found time for such work, 
topics would be discussed and class work presented. The princi- 
pal object was to gather from different minds and experience, 
plans for future action ; to agree, if possible, upon some course 
that would tend to unify the school system of the State ; that all 
might labor to accomplish the same end, and thus exert an 
influence that should, be potent. This was the critical time in 
the history of Colorado for laying a foundation of the public 
school system, broad and deep, and in such a manner as to 
endure for all coming time. A pretty fair system was already 
established, but it was not sufficiently comprehensive ; it had 
answered the purpose very well up to the present time, but now 
Colorado had outgrown it and demanded more. The present 
foundation was not such an one as a wise architect would choose 
upon which to build an enduring superstructure. We wanted 
liberal provisions incorporated into the State Constitution that 
should render the school system secure and efficient ; we wanted 
a State Teachers' Association that should meet annually and dis- 
cuss theories pertaining to educational methods, and problems 
evolved from practical school work. Our school law should be 
thoroughly revised, and this assemblage of educators, who cer- 
tainly ought to know our wants, should take such action as would 



tend to bring the matter before our legislators. County Superin- 
tendents should organize, in their respective counties, Teachers' 
Institutes, and engage competent instructors to conduct the same, 
to the end that young teachers might be instructed, by those of 
large experience, as to the best methods of carrying on the every 
day class work, and of disciplining the school. 

The Superintendent earnestly hoped that as a result of this 
meeting the initial steps would be taken that would ultimately 
lead to the accomplishment of all that had been suggested. He 
then welcomed those who were present from abroad tendering in 
behalf of the Denver teachers and their friends the hospitalities 
of their homes, and left the Convention to its own deliberations. 

A motion was made and carried to proceed to the temporary 
organization, with Mr. Hale as Chairman. 

Aaron Gove was selected as temporary Secretary, and Miss 
Sara A. Scott, of Pueblo, and Miss Estelle Freeman, of Denver, 
as Assistant Secretaries. 

A resolution was then passed that the Convention proceed to 
the organization of a State Teachers' Association. 

Mr. Gove moved that a committee of five be appointed b)- 
the Chair to draft the necessary documents for such Associa- 
tion, to report at 9 o'clock to-morrow, which was carried. 

Mr. C. E. Parks moved that a committee on programme for 
to-morrow and next day, consisting of five members, be appointed, 
which was carried, and Mr. Parks was appointed Chairman. 

Prof Haskell thought it very important to raise the question 
" What can be done to make our school system operative upon 
the Spanish-.speaking people of the Territory ?" They constituted 
one third of our population, and it was very important that some- 
thing should be done, whether by committee or otherwise. 

After further di.scu.ssion, on motion of Prof Haskell, a com- 
mittee of three, to consider the question and report to the Con- 
vention in the future, was raised. 

A committee of five on reception was then appointed by the 
Chair as follows : Mr. Donaldson, Miss Smith, Miss Freeman, 
Miss Peabody and Miss Collier. 



<^y 



••' h, »u *»fc f?^ 





-^^^^^-^^ c/l^^^ 



— 33 — 

An intermission of fifteen minutes was then taken for gen- 
eral handshaking and acquaintanceship. 

Mr. Gove moved that the committee on programme be 
requested to place on their list the lecture by Judge Belford, and 
poem by W. E. Pabor, of Greeley, for Thursday evening; a soci- 
able for Thursday evening, to close the exercises, and that the 
.Wednesday afternoon exercises be held at the Broadway school. 
After considerable discussion, the three branches of the 
motion were carried, the place of meeting to-morrow evening 
designated as Mc-ennerchor Hall. 

On motion, Mr. D. Hurd, Chairman of the committee on 
education in the Constitutional Convention, was invited to address 
the Convention, and stated that the committee were waiting for 
this body to give them the cue, and that the action of the Asso- 
ciation would be duly weighed and acted upon. He hoped the 
Association would appoint a committee to confer with the Stand- 
ing Committee of the Constitutional Convention ; such a matter 
had been proposed before his committee. . 

A m.otion was made that a committee be appointed to report 
as to the best method of improving the present school system. 

Mr. Seybold, of Pueblo, offered a substitute. Mr. Gove 
moved that consideration of the whole subject be postponed, and 
made the special order for lO o'clock to-morrow, which was car- 
ried. 

The Chairman announced the committees as follows : 
On Programme— Messrs. Parks and Donaldson, Miss Ran- 
dall, Mr. Henry and Mr. Carpenter. 

On Organization — Messrs. Gove, Orr, Groesbeck, Davis and 
Baker. 

On Spanish-speaking Pupils, etc. — Messrs. Haskell, Sloane 
and Brown. 

The Convention then adjourned. 



— 34 — 

Wednesday, December 29, 1875. 

Convention was called to order at 9 a. m. by the President. 

Prayer was offered by Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, which was fol- 
lowed by the Italian hymn, the members joining heartily in the 
singing. 

The report of Committee on Programme, as submitted by 
Mr. Frank Carpenter, of Georgetown, was then read and 
adopted. 

Mr. Gove, from the Committee on Organization, read the 
following preamble and constitution of the " Colorado Teachers' 
Association," which was adopted : 

PREAMBLE. 

Resolved, That we, the teachers of Colorado, in convention 
assembled, in order to advance the interests of education and to 
diffuse a professional and friendly spirit among the teachers of 
the commonwealth, do now and hereby form a State Teachers' 
Association. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article I. This Association shall be called the Colorado 
Teachers' Association. 

Art. II. The Association shall hold its meetings annualh'. 
Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, at 
the written request of the E.xecutive Committee. 

Art. III. The officers of this Association shall consist of 
a President, one Vice-President from each judicial district, one 
Vice President at large, a Secretary, two Assistant Secretaries, a 
Treasurer and an Plxecutive Committee of three, all of whom 
shall be elected annually and shall hold their offices until their 
successors are elected. 

Art. IV. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at 
the regular meetings of the Association, and to attend to the 



duties incumbent upon said office ; and some one of the Vice- 
Presidents shall preside in case of his absence. 

Art. V. The duties of Secretaries and Treasurer shall be 
such as usually pertain to those offices. 

Art. VI. The Executive Committee shall determine the 
duration of the annual meetings, arrange for the literary exer- 
cises, prepare programmes, maks terms with railroads and deter- 
mine the time and place of meeting, when the same has not been 
indicated by the Association. They shall hold one meeting dur- 
ing the year, at such time and place as the Chairman may 
select 

Art. VII. This Association shall consist of teachers and of 
State, county, township and district school officers in Colorado ; 
each member shall sign the constitution and pa\- one dollar annu- 
ally. Honorary members may be elected at any annual meeting, 
and may participate in the debates, but not be entitled to vote. 

Art. VIII. All officers shall be elected by ballot, except 
when otherwise ordered by the Association. A majorit}- of the 
votes shall elect. 

Art. IX. This constitution may be altered or amended by 
a vote of three-fourths of its members present at any regular meet- 
ing of the Association. 



I. The Standing Committees shall be composed of five 
members each, and shall be appointed annually by the Chair. 
They shall be as follows : 

1. Committee on Finance. 

2. ("ommittee on Resolutions. 

3. Committee on School Law. 

II. The duties of the Standing Committees shall be those 
indicated by their titles. 

III. During debate this As.sociation shall conform to the 
laws of deliberative bodies generally. 



-36- 

A motion was made and carried tliat all persons who had 
assembled under the call should be considered as members of the 
Association until it adjourns. 

A motion also prevailed that the present officers of the Con- 
vention be hereby declared officers of the Association for the cur- 
rent year. 

The election of Treasurer being in order, a motion was 
carried that the choice be made by acclamation. L. G. A. Copley, 
of Colorado Springs, was then elected unanimously. 

A motion was made to make the Association an incorpor- 
ated body. The matter was referred to the Committee on School 
Laws. 

Mr. Gove moved that all be invited to attend the meetings 
and participate in the debate, and that all so participating be 
hereby elected honorary members of the Association. Carried 
unanimously. 

Mr. Hale announced that Colonel Ellsworth, President of 
the Street Railway Company, invited the members to ride on 
the cars to and from the Broadway School during the afternoon. 

The following resolution, submitted yesterday by Mr. 
Seybold, of Pueblo, came up as the .special order : 

Resolved. That a standing committee of seven, consisting of 
the Territorial Superintendent of Public Instruction and six 
others whom he shall appoint, be instructed to confer with the 
Educational Committee of the Constitutional Convention, on the 
educational provisions that should be incorporated in the consti- 
tution of the State of Colorado, and with the Educational Com- 
mittee of the Territorial Legislature. 

Mr. Seybold remarked that the nature of the work would be 
left to the judgment of the committee. 

Mr. Morehouse would like the resolution better, if it 
appointed the Territorial Superintendent Chairman of the com- 
mittee, with power to select his six associates. 

Mr. Seybold responded that such was the intent of the reso- 
lution. 



— 37 — 

Mr. Griffin would inquire if that would not be placing too 
much power in the hands of the Territorial Superintendent? 

Mr. Goff thought it would be too expensive for seven men 
to stop in Denver and confer with the bodies named. It was the 
general rule for such associations to discuss and adopt resolutions, 
and thus give legislative bodies certain points to act upon. 

Mr. Hale, Superintendent of Public Instruction, remarked 
that if the Territorial Superintendent and County Superintend- 
ents did not know the wants of the different counties and the 
whole Territory, he could not tell who did know them. Letters 
had been frequent recommending changes in the school law. 
Some time ago a bill had been drafted and presented to the 
Legislature, but it was objected that the bill gave too much 
power to the Territorial Superintendent, and it was defeated. He 
would state, however, that he would make up the committee 
from County Superintendents and district officers. 

Mr. Shattuck thought the resolution incomplete. A com- 
mittee would be appointed to work, but no suggestion had been 
made to the Association as to what changes in the school law 
should be made. He thought two committees should be 
appointed, one to confer with the convention, and the other with 
the Legislature, to report to-morrow the skeleton, or leading 
features of desired changes. 

Mr. Buell stated that he had attended the convention more 
particularly to engage in the discussion of the school law. If 
something was not submitted to the Legislature by which that 
body could reform the defects in the present law, the great object 
of the convention would be defeated. He moved to amend the 
resolution so the committee would report at ten to-morrow the 
skeleton of the provisions they would recommend to the Legisla- 
ture, which was accepted, and the resolution passed. 

Mr. Gove offered the following : 

Resolved, That the committee that hereafter may be appointed 
to confer with the Committee on Education in the Constitutional 
Convention be asked to urge upon their attention the following 
points : The school fund shall be sacredly preserved intact, the 



interest on the same, only, to be expended ; the sale of such lands 
as may be given to the State for educational purposes shall be 
postponed, to the end that the proceeds, in time, may perhaps be 
sufficient to maintain public schools without taxation ; the consti- 
tution shall make it the duty of the Legislature to provide for 
the establisliment and maintenance of a uniform system of 
schools, including elementary, normal, preparatory and university 
departments, such schools to be free to all residents of the State ; 
to provide for the offices of State and County Superintendents ; 
to provide for the establishment of libraries ; to provide -for the 
care and education of the blind, mute and feeble minded ; to 
provide for the establishment of a reform school ; to cause all 
instruction to be imparted through the medium of the English 
language ; to exclude sectarianism, as is set forth as follows in 
Article VIII, Section 3, of the Illinois Constitution : " Neither the 
General Assembly nor any county, city, town, township, school 
district or other public corporation, shall ever make any appro- 
priation, or pay from any public fund whatever, anything in aid 
of any church or any sectarian purpose, or to help support or 
sustain any school, academy, seminary, college, university or 
other literary or scientific institution controlled by any church or 
sectarian denomination whatever; nor shall any grant or donation 
of land, money or other personal property ever be made b}^ the 
State for any church or for any sectarian purpose." 

Mr. Wilbur took the floor and presented his views at length 
as to what reforms were needed in the school laws. 

Professor Haskell moved that Mr. Wilbur's paper be respect- 
fully referred to Hon. Daniel Hurd, on its own merits, for the use 
or benefit of the Committee on Education in the Constitutional 
Convention, which was carried 

Further consideration of Mr. Gove's resolutions was post- 
poned until II o'clock to-morrow. 

Prof Haskell, from the Committee on Education of Spanish 
Children, reported resolutions : 

Whereas, In the opinion of this Convention, it is the pro- 
vince of a proper school system in this country to provide the 



— 39 — 

means of a common English education to all our children and 
youth, of whatever rank, race or sect, and 

Whereas, It is evident from the Superintendent's report, 
and from other sources, that our system is practically inoperative 
among a large portion of the Spanish speaking people of Southern 
Colorado, therefore 

Resolved, That we hereby respectfully ask the Constitutional 
Convention and both branches of our Legislature to take this 
subject into kind and special consideration. 

Resolved, That our City School Boards would be doing a 
public favor by inviting the Spanish youth to attend their High 
Schools free from tuitional charges, with the hope that some of 
them may become useful teachers in public schools, and that the 
Spanish language may with propriety be taught, without charge, 
as the French and English now are. 

Resolved, That we commend the study and colloquial use of 
the Spanish language to our teachers as a means of personal 
culture, and a source of probable usefulness and pleasure. 

Resolved, That a popular compendium of our school system 
and its modes of usefulness to the rising generation of American 
citizens of all classes should be prepared and published in Spanish, 
and circulated among that class of our fellow citizens in Avhose 
behalf this report is more especially made. 

Consideration was postponed until 10:45 to-morrow. 

President Hale here announced the following standing com- 
mittees : 

Finance — Messrs. Donaldson, Harrington. Davis, Buell and 
Carpenter. 

School Laivs — Messrs. Shattuck, Millington, Baker, More- 
house and Groesbeck. 

Resolutions — Mr. Copley, Miss Washburn, Miss Smith, Mr. 
Brown and ^Ir. Orr. 

Association adjourned to meet at the Broadway School at 
I :30 o'clock. 



40 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



A majority of the members of the Association accepted the 
invitation of Superintendent Ellsworth, of the Street Railway 
lines, and were conveyed to the new Broadway School, where the 
afternoon session was held. 

It was 2 o'clock before the services were opened with a 
chant, " The Lord's Prayer." 

This was followed by an essay by Mr. W. A. Henry, of 
Boulder, on " My Hobby — A Plea for a Happier Method of 
Teaching in our Common Scools." 

Mr. Hale was of opinion that the leading and m(Dst admirable 
sentiment of the essay was to teach pupils the beauties of good 
books, so that they would be hungry for more of them. 

Mr. Henry added that, in country towns where there were no 
public libraries, all good books which the owners were willing to 
lend should be collected and distributed among the pupils. They 
were doing that in Boulder with great success. 

Mr. Boyd remarked that the great danger was that, in culti- 
vating the taste for literature, it was so apt to chain the attention 
that the study in the school room would be endangered. 

Superintendent Hale, in alluding to portions of the essay, 
instanced a school house which had recently been erected, 
wherein the school rooms were but twenty feet square, and yet 
were seated for forty pupils. The unhealthfulness of such rooms, 
so contracted simply to save money, might be inquired into by 
some school directors whom he saw present. The accommoda- 
tion afforded to each pupil in that structure was but one-half 
that furnished in the Broadway building, and yet every one could 
see the latter was not too roomy for the comfort and health of 
the pupils. 

A motion was made and carried that the essay reflected the 
sentiments of the Association, and that the same be handed to 
the Secretary for publication. 

The same disposition, on motion, was made of Mr. Henr}-'s 
essay on reading. 



— 41 — 

Mr. Copley moved that the Association proceed to the con- 
sideration of the resolutions offered by Mr. Gove in the morn- 
ing, which was carried. 

Mr. Boyd moved that the topics be taken up by sections. 

The first section, that the school fund be sacredly preserved 
intact, and the interest only expended, was adopted without 
debate. 

The section that the Constitutional Convention be asked to 
postpone the sale of the lands given to the State for educational 
purposes until such time as the interest of the fund shall support 
the schools without taxation, was taken up. Several members 
were of opinion that the money would increase faster by selling 
the lands and placing the fund on interest. 

Mr. Hurd thought that some provision should be made so 
that proper safeguards would be thrown around the sale of the 
lands. He thought that the lands, if sold now, would return very 
little revenue ; but in time would furnish a fund sufficient to edu- 
cate all the children of the State. 

Professor Haskell stated that the question was a complicated 
one, and if the section was passed it might do a great deal of 
damage. He referred to cases where a portion of school sec- 
tions, or school property, could be sold, and by the improvements 
thus secured the residuum would be increased in value to an 
amount greater than the original value of the whole property. 

Mr. Gove replied that there was nothing in the resolution to 
prevent the leasing of such property. 

The discussion continued in the same vein for half an hour, 
when a motion to lay the section on the table was made and 
lost. 

The section was then adopted. 

The section requesting the Constitutional Convention to 
require a uniform system of free schools, was adopted. 

The section providing for the offices of State and County 
Superintendents was passed. 

Also, the one providing for public libraries. 



Also, providing for the education of the bhnd, mute and 
feeble minded. 

Also, the article providing for a Reform School. 

Also, to cause all instruction to be imparted through the 
medium of the English language. 

The provision excluding sectarianism, and adopting the pro- 
vision of the Illinois constitution, was postponed until to-morrow. 

An invitation to the night exercises at Mnennerchor Hall was 
cordially extended to all in attendance. 

The Association then adjourned until 9 o'clock to-morrow at 
the High School building. 



EVENING SESSION. 

The attendance at Ma^nnerchor Hall was both an ovation to 
the Teachers' Association and to the school authorities who 
had planned the exercises. About 7 o'clock the stream of peo- 
ple commenced pouring into the hall, until every available seat 
was occupied with the first citizens of Denver and the visitors to 
the Convention. The difficulty in providing for the vast throng 
prevented the opening of proceedings earlier than 7:45 o'clock, 
when Mr. Hale, President of the Teachers' Association, ascended 
the platform and after apologizing for the necessity of dispensing 
with the music promised in the programme, remarked that he 
desired to allude to the object of the present Convention, and to 
say a word in behalf of the public schools. He stated that there 
were 20,000 school children in the Territory, and yet during the 
past year only one-half that number had entered a school room, 
and only one-half of that half had attended school 1 16 days in 
the year. This fact of itself showed that there was something 
egregiously wrong, and that the interest in education should be 
increased. Hence the Convention had been called to draw the 
attention of the people to the facts as they existed. No motives 
of selfishness or personal benefit had brought these teachers 
together. " Why," said he, " I know a school district in the Ter- 



— 43 — 

ritory where 300 school children are resident, and yet but fifty of 
them have attended school during the past year." 

The people should give the matter their earnest attention, 
and see if more encouragement and practical aid could not be 
given in those districts where school houses are building, and 
where efforts are making to increase the interest in the education 
of the children. That had been the object of the Convention, 
and was the aim of the present entertainment. He then intro- 
duced to the vast audience Mr. W. E. Pabor, of Greeley, who 
would recite a poem, and Judge Belford, of Central, who would 
deliver an address. 



THURSDAYS SESSION. 

Previous to the opening of the regular session. President 
Hale remarked that before calhng the meeting to order he had a 
few suggestions to make. He desired authority to appoint the 
Committee of Conference on the School Law rather early, and he 
wished to meet the County Superintendents after the ses- 
sion of the afternoon. There was so much business to be trans- 
acted during the day that he hoped each member would put in 
the time to the best advantage, without unnecessary talking. He 
was very anxious to finish the work as it had been begun, and 
suggested the programme as made out for the day be waived that 
this might be accomplished. 

The session was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Stewart, of 
Golden, and the singing of the " Portugese Hymn." 

On motion, the programme made out for the day was 
waived. 

Mr. Gove remarked that he knew from experience that it was 
pleasant for Teachers' Associations to receive congratulatory 
words from sister bodies. The Illinois State Teachers' Associa- 
tion was now in session at Rock Island. He therefore moved 
that the Colorado body should authorize the President to send a 
congratulatory telegram to the Illinois Association, which was 
carried unanimously. 



— 44 — 

Mr. Hale sent the following message : 
IV. B. Poivell, President Illinois State Teachers Association, in 
Session at Rock Island, Illinois : 

The mountains to the valley, greeting. Our initial meeting. 
One hundred teachers present. 

H. M. Hale. 
President Colorado Teachers Association. 

President Hale received the following response to his tel- 
egram : 

Rock Island, Ills., Dec. 30, 4 p. m. 
H. M. Hale, President Colorado Teachers Association : 

The teachers of Illinois return greeting to their brethren on 
the mountains. Your's is a grand birth, on the eve of a new 76. 

W. B. Powell, 
President Illinois State Teachers' Association. 

Mr. Wilbur moved that the Association take up the discus- 
sion of the ninth section of Mr. Gove's resolution, prohibiting 
sectarianism in public schools, which was carried. 

Mr. Wilbur moved that the President be invited to partici- 
pate in the discussion, which was carried. 

Mr. Boyd moved the adoption of the last section of the res- 
olution, prohibiting sectarianism. 

Mr. Copley moved to amend the section by authorizing the 
Legislature " to prohibit the exclusion of the Bible." 

Mr. Boyd offered as a substitute the following : 

" That the Legislature pass such laws as will completely sec- 
ularize education." 

Mr. Gove was sorry that the question of the introduction of 
the Bible into the public schools had been raised, and he was 
confident that after three hours' discussion the views of no mem- 
ber will be changed, and also that no measure passed by this 
Association would influence any member of either the Conven- 
tion or the Legislature. He knew the sentiment of the people on 
the subject was very much divided, but tha<- sentiment was 
decided, and the matter should be left to the Convention. 



— 45 — 

Mr. Boyd was just as willing as any one to leave the matter 
to the Constitutional Convention. He had offered the substitute 
merely to place the matter on a clear basis. The word "sectarian- 
ism" was ambiguous, but the word "secularize" was not. 

Mr. Copley said the amendment had been offered in order that 
the sentiment of the teachers might be gained. He wanted to 
know whether the motto of the school room should be " Nothing 
Without God," or " Nothing With God." He was willing to 
take the vote on the matter just now. 

Mr Goff said the word "secularize" had one merit. All 
could know what it meant. It takes all religion out of merely 
education, and that goes further than taking the Bible out of the 
schools. It expunges religion from all history and all branches 
of education. 

Miss Merritt remarked that to exclude the Bible from the 
avenues of education would be to exclude general history, as the 
Bible was the foundation upon which all laws rested. There 
should be some decided standard upon which the morals of the 
child could stand. 

Rev. Mr. Bliss was about speaking, when Mr. Shattuck 
raised the point that the special order for lo o'clock, which hour 
had arrived, was the appointment of the committee to confer with 
the Constitutional Convention and the Legislature. His point 
was sustained, and the President announced the following as the 
• committee: 

H. M. Hale, Chairman ; J. C. Shattuck, Aaron Gove, P. E. 
Morehouse, J. B. Groesbeck, W. A. Donaldson and T. A. Sloane. 

Rev. Mr. Bliss then ssJd that he believed as much as any 
one in the doctrine of separating church and State in its true 
interpretation ; still, he also believed that the Bible was the 
foundation of all morals, and the foundation upon which the 
American republic was erected. Good citizens could not be 
made by making them pagans. Pagan republics must ahvays 
die. The question affected the very life of the Nation. He was 
opposed to sectarianism in the schools and against dividing the 



-46- 

school money, but the matter of the use of the Bible in the 
schools affected him as a citizen and a tax payer, in so far as it 
inculcated good morals. 

Mr. Shattuck, in referring to the formal reading of the 
Bible in the schools, and the fact that such routine work had 
little to do with the inculcation of good morals and true 
rev^erence for religion, gave a short history of the St. Louis 
public schools, where the subject had been ignored, and the 
success and thoroughness of which schools were not excelled 
in the country. 

Mr. Haskell offered the following substitute: 

Resolved, That no law shall be passed requiring the dail)- 
reading of the Bible in the public schools, nor to exclude it 
therefrom. 

Mr. Hale thought the discussion had proceeded far enough, 
as there were other more practical questions, such as the pro- 
posed amendments to the school law, and although he was full of 
the sublimity of the topic, he thought the business interests of 
the Association demanded the vote should be taken at once, as 
the views of no member were likely to be changed b}' the 
discussion. He, therefore, moved the previous question, which 
was carried. 

Mr. Haskell's substitute was then passed. 

Some discussion having arisen as to whether the passage of 
Mr. Haskell's substitute set aside the original section offered by 
Mr. Gove, re-affirming the constitutional provision of Illinois, 
Mr. Haskell remarked that he did not understand that it did ; 
that it left the proposition of the resolution intact, and was passed 
only as an expression of the opinion of the Association, to go to 
the committee in company with Mr. Gove's resolution. 

The President decided that both Mr. Haskell's substitute 
and Mr. Gove's resolution had passed. 

Mr. Shattuck offered a resolution that the Executive Com- 
mittee be authorized to publish, in pamphlet form, the address of 
Judge Belford, at M?ennerchor Hall, together with the poem read 
by Mr. W. E. Pabor. 



— 47 — 

Mr. Haskell moved to amend by printing, also, the action of 
the Association on sectarianism. 

A substitute was offered that the proceedings of the Conven- 
tion be printed, together with the poem and address, which was 
carried. 

Mr. Wilbur offered the following, which was passed after 
some discussion : 

Resolved, That we desire the Constitutional Convention to 
provide for a fixed State tax for school purposes, to the end that 
schools may be permanent in character. 

Another proposition, presented by Mr. Wilbur, was passed, 
and read as follows : 

"Also, that all special or local legislation in relation to 
schools be forever prohibited." 

A third proposition, offered by Mr. Wilbur, on motion of 
Mr. Stewart, was laid on the table. It read as follows : 

"Also, that that part of the fund that, in proportion to num- 
bers, belongs to the lower grades in graded schools, be exclu- 
sively applied to them." 

Mr. Seybold offered the following, which, on motion of Mr. 
Stewart, was referred to the committee to confer with the con- 
vention and Legislature : 

Resolved, That we, as a Convention of educators, do earn- 
estly urge upon our Legislature to enact such laws as will secure 
to each and every child in our Territory the advantage of at least 
a common school education in the English language. 

Mr. Haskell, Chairman of the Committee on the Education 
of Spanish Pupils, called up the resolutions reported by the com- 
mittee, which were printed in the Tribime, and moved the adop- 
tion of the same. 

Mr. Bliss moved to amend by referring the resolutions to 
the Committee on Conference, which was lost. 

The resolutions were then adopted. 

Mr. Haskell moved to add to the first resolution the follow- 
ing, which was carried: 

"And we suggest the propriet}^ of employing a Spanish 



-48- 

speaking Assistant Superintendent, to labor three months in each 
of the next three years, to encourage our Mexico-Spanish citizens 
in developing the English school system among them, for the 
benefit of their children." 

Mr. Shattuck moved that the Association proceed to take up 
the recommendations to the Legislature. The time set for the 
session was rapidly passing away, and the important work of 
legislative suggestions had not been touched. The motion was 
carried. 

Mr. Boyd offered the following, which was passed: 

Resolved, That this Association recommend House Bill No. 
106, presented by the lower branch of the last Legislature, as the 
basis of a school law to be passed by the present Legislature. 

The bill as recommended was then taken up section by 
section. When the fifth section came up, requiring the Superin- 
tendent to visit the schools once in every two years, an amend- 
ment was adopted providing that the visits be either by the 
Superintendent "or his deputy." 

The seventh section of the bill, which empowers the Terri- 
torial Superintendent to remove County Superintendents for 
cause, and which was stricken out in the Lower House because 
it gave the Territorial Superintendent too much power, came up. 

Mr. Bliss thought the objections could be answered by 
modifying the section so that the Territorial Superintendent 
might bring charges before the County Commissioners, and give 
them the power to remove. 

Mr. Shattuck was confident the section would not pass, and 
probably should not. The people were very jealous of any 
interference with officers elected by them at the ballot box. It 
was probably natural that they should be. He would prefer that 
if the people of a county elect a non compos officer, they should 
suffer the penalty of that election through his inefficient acts. 

Judge Leland here addressed the Convention and stated that 
he held in his hand a petition to the Constitutional Convention 
from Clear Creek, providing for the impeachment of various 
officers for causes stated, which would include County Superin- 




'■'■"\ 



^i^ 




t^<^<J-tiXC 



— 49 — 

tendents, and which would probably do away with the necessity 
for passing the section. 

Mr. Wilbur moved that the seventh section of the bill be 
laid on the table, which was carried. 

The remaining portions of the bill, relating to County 
Superintendents and school officers generally, were then passed, 
when, the hour for adjournment having arrived, the Convention 
took a recess until half past i o'clock. 

The afternoon session opened with a full attendance at 2:45. 

Dr. Groesbeck moved that the Executive Committee be 
requested to call the next annual meeting of the Association at 
the University Building, in Boulder, which was carried. 

Mr. Donaldson offered the following resolution, which was 
passed : 

Resolved, That the money in the hands of the Treasurer of 
this Association be handed over to the Executive Committee, to 
be used in defraying the expenses of the Association. 

Mr. Baker moved that a committee of five be appointed to 
nominate officers for the next year, which was carried. 

President Hale appointed the following as the committee : 
Messrs. Baker, of Denver ; Carpenter, of Clear Creek ; Annis, of 
Greeley ; Stewart, of Golden, and Copley, of Colorado Springs. 

THE SCHOOL LAW. 

Title second, of the School Bill, concerning the Territorial 
Board of Education, came up in order. 

Mr. Wilbur offered an amendment to the ninth section, in 
reference to the organization of the Board. It provides that the 
Territorial Board shall consist of the Superintendent of Instruc- 
tion, and two members from each judicial district, to be elected 
by the Legislature. The amendment was passed, and the section 
adopted as amended. 

Section eleven of the bill providing for a uniform series of 
text books, which after being adopted shall not be changed for a 
period of four years, came up for passage. 

Mr. Gove strongly opposed the section as a very dangerous 



— so — 

one, inviting bribery from publishers, and engrafting a system 
which had proved a failure in California, Nevada and many other 
localities. 

Mr. Hale confessed that in embodying the section he had 
been largely influenced by outside pressure, yet he could not see 
how the public could be damaged by its passage. The merit of 
any book was the only recommendation that it possessed. 

The section was stricken out. 

The section referring to the qualification and examination of 
applicants for Teacher's Certificates coming up. Mr. Orr moved 
that the examination be enlarged so as to embrace Vocal Music. 

Miss Merritt moved to amend the amendment by including 
also, examination on the Constitution of the United States, which 
last amendment was agreed to. 

Mr. Orr's amendment was not agreed to. 

The section, as amended, was then passed. 

The section touching the granting of Graded Certificates, on 
motion of Dr. Groesbeck, was amended so that no Teacher's 
Certificate should be renewed without examination, except those 
which were of the first grade. 

The section touching the duties of County Superintendents 
was amended in so far that the County Superintendent be required 
to submit the record of his official proceedings to the County 
Commissioners at least once a year. 

The section in reference to the administration of the official 
oath to School Directors and Teachers, and vesting such admin- 
istration in the County Superintendent, was amended so that a 
member of the outgoing Board could administer the oath to the 
incoming Board. 

An amendment allowing a Union High School to be formed 
in any County, upon certain formula, without regard to the num- 
ber of scholars attending the common schools, was passed. 

Mr. Gove offered a resolution in regard to the duty of the 
School Board, as follows, which was passed: 

Resolved, That it shall be one of the duties of District Boards 
to direct what text books and apparatus shall be used in the 



— 51 — 

several schools, and strictly to enforce uniformity of text books 
therein, but shall not permit text books to be changed oftener 
than once in four years. 

The remaining sections of the bill were then referred to the 
committee appointed to confer with Committees of the Constitu- 
tional Convention and Territorial Legislature. 

On motion, the Secretary was directed to forward to each 
member of the Association a copy of the proceedings of this 
Convention, together with the report of the Committee of Con- 
ference, if practicable. 

Mr. Baker, from the committee to suggest officers for the 
next year, submitted the following list: 

President, Aaron Gove, Denver. 

Vice-Presidents, A. J. Wilbur, Greeley ; F. A. Sloane, Pueblo ; 
at large, J. C. Shattuck, Greeley; P. E. Morehouse, Georgetown. 

Secretary, Miss E. J. Merritt, Colorado Springs. 

Assistant Secretaries, Miss E. H. Shumway, Georgetown; 
Mr. W. A. Henry, Boulder. 

Treasurer, L. G. A. Copley, Colorado Springs. 

Executive Committee, H. M. Hale, Denver; A. B. Orr, 
Golden; J. H. Baker, Denver. 

On motion the report was adopted, and the officers elected. 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Mr. L. G. A. Copley, Chairman of the Committe on Resolu- 
tions, submitted the following, which were passd unanimously: 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Association are due to 
Superintendent H. M. Hale for the able manner in which he has 
conducted its deliberations. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Association are due to the 
people of Denver who have entertained us so kindly during our 
attendance at this Convention. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention are hereby 
tendered to the various railroad and stage lines centering in 
this city, for their reduction of fare to members of this body. 



— 52 — 

Resolved, That we thank Col. Ellsworth for his liberality in 
giving us the free use of the street cars to and from the sessions 
of this Convention at the Broadway School House. 

Resolved, That our especial thanks are hereby tendered to 
Aaron Gove, the City Superintendent, and the Board of Educa- 
tion of East Denver for the use of the High and Broadway 
School Buildings. 

Resolved, That our thanks are due the press for the interest 
shown in the work, and for the very ready manner in which they 
have advertised and reported the proceedings of the Association 
from its beginning to its close. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this bod}' are tendered to Judge 
Belford for his lecture, and W. E. Pabor for his poem, delivered 
before this Association. 

L. G. A. Copley, 
Albert B. Orr, 
F. M. Brown, 
L. Washburne. 
The Convention then adjourned sine die. 



The following were elected Honorary Members: 
Gov. John L. Routt, Hon. J. C. Wilson, 

J. B. Belford, R. W. Woodbury, 

Dr. B. F. Crary, Dr. Willis Lord, 

Amos Bixby, N. C. Meeker, 

Dr. R. G. Buckingham, Stephen Decatur, 

Hon. Wilbur F. Stone. 

The members with their friends and citizens gathered in the 
High School on Thursday evening for a social. Although no 
set programme had been arranged, yet three hours were spent in 
a general good time, enhanced by the supply of refreshments 
furnished by a few friends. 

At eleven o'clock the party retired, the last act being the 
singing of "Auld Lang Syne." 



— 53 — 

The following are the names of those who joined the Colo- 
rado Teachers' Association at its First Annual Meeting: 

Annis, Frank J., Greeley. 

Askew, W. T., Denver. 

Adriance, Miss Nellie .... Denver. 

Ashley, E. M., Denver. 

Allen, N. K, 

Baker, James H.. Denver. 

Bryant, Louise V., Colorado Springs. 

Beecher, Ella P., Colorado Springs. 

Buel, G. W., Golden. 

Brundige, Miss M. L , . . . . Denver. 

Boyd, David, Greeley. 

Bliss, T. E., Denver. 

Brown, A. G., Central. 

Brown, Francis M., Black Hawk. 

Brainerd, Julia D., Colorado Springs. 

Bradley, Julia M., Central. 

Carpenter, Frank R., .... Georgetown. 
Carpenter, Mrs. Frank R., . . Georgetown. 

Copley, L. G. A., Colorado Springs. 

Chambers, J. T., Denver. 

Collier, Mrs. G. M., Denver. 

Dill, Mrs. Helen Denver. 

Devinny, Miss Lizzie, .... Denver. 

Donaldson, W. A., Denver. 

Defrance, Mattie A., . . . . Denver. 

Davis, F. B., Longmont. 

Day, E. A., Longmont. 

Freeman, Miss Estelle, . , . Denver. 

Fullerton, Alice, Nevada. 

Fullerton, W. C, Nevada. 

Gove, Aaron, Denver. 

Groesbeck, J. B., Golden. 

Garbutt, E. N., La Porte. 

Ganiard, Sarah M., Denver. 



— 54 — 

Griffin, James V., Morrison. 

Gottesleben, Peter, Denver. 

Garbutt, Mrs. M. E., .... Denver. 

Glave, Paul C, Denver. 

Haskell, T. N., Denver. 

Harrington, Isaac B., .... Littleton. 

Harmon, H. R., Boulder. 

Hahn, S. B., Central. 

Hurd, Daniel, Denver. 

Hale, H. M., Denver. 

Henry, W. A., Boulder. 

Howard, Oliver, Greeley. 

House, Mrs. E. P., Evans. 

Hannah, Kate L., Denver. 

Hannum, Miss M. E., . . . . Denver. 

Hersey, J. Clarence, Valmont. 

Kenney, Mrs. Margaret, . . . Denver. 

Keith, T. M., Valmont. 

Laty, Wm. D., Greeley. 

Lothrop, W. C, Denver. 

Murray, D. B., Golden. 

Moorehouse, E. P., Georgetown. 

Moorehouse, Mrs. E. P., . . . Georgetown. 

Merritt, Ellen J., Colorado Springs. 

McGill, Mary, Central City. 

Morrison, Anna A., Golden. 

Millington, F. C, Denver. 

Moulton, Fred. A., 

McCreery, W. H., "Loveland. 

McMurty, M. E., Denver. 

Merrill, Miss Viola, Denver. 

Newton, W. M., Denver. 

Orr, Albert B., Golden. 

Parks, Chas. E., Denver. 

Pabor, Wm. E , Greeley. 

Parkinson, C. E , Castle Rock. 



— 55 — 

Presley, James N., Silver Plume. 

Phillips, Ivers, 

Roy, Mrs. S. K , Denver. 

Robinson, Ellen J., Black Hawk. 

Randall, Miss Frona, .... Denver. 

Strong, Wm. J., Castle Rock. 

Shattuck, Joseph C, Greeley. 

Sloane, Theodorea A., . . . . Pueblo. 

Storms, H., Denver. 

Seybold, Gilbert A., Pueblo. 

Scott, Sarah A., Pueblo. 

Smith, Nannie O., Denver. 

Seacord, Lydia M., Georgetown. 

Shumway, Elizabeth H., . . . Georgetown. 

Stewart, R. L., Golden. 

Shields, Hattie E., Colorado Springs. 

Stuart, R. S., 

Selby, Miss Martha, Denver. 

Thomas, Mary, Central City. 

Tibbals, Miss Sarah E Denver. 

Williams, E. Cone, Boulder. 

Woolman, N. E., Denver. 

Washburne, Lucinda, .... Georgetown. 

Watters, L. H., Denver. 

Wells, C. L., Denver. 

Wilber, Alvin J., Greeley. 

Wilson, J. M., Denver. 

Wadleigh, Elizabeth E., . . . Colorado Springs. 
Westover, Miss CM.,. . . . Denver. 
Youngman, G. F., Boulder. 

A list of the Presidents of the first ten meetings is given 
below, together with the place at which each meeting was held : 
H. M. Hale, Denver, .... First Meeting. 
Aaron Gove, Boulder, .... Second Meeting. 
Joseph C. Shattuck, Denver, . Third Meeting. 



-56- 

Lucinda Washburn, Denver, . Fourth Meeting. 

J. A. Sewall, Denver, .... Fifth Meeting. 

James H. Baker, Denver, , . Sixth Meeting. 

Isaac C. Dennett, Colo. Springs, Seventh Meeting. 

J. S. McCIung, Pueblo, . . . Eighth Meeting. 

H. M. Hale, Greeley Ninth Meeting. 

David Boyd, Denver, .... Tenth Meeting. 
The policy of the Association with regard to places at which 
the annual meeting should be held is indicated by the above list. 
While Denver is the most convenient, both with regard to trans- 
portation and rooms for meetings, a desire has at several times 
been manifested to meet in other cities. 

The reflex influence of such a gathering of teachers upon 
the community is a power to be considered. 

Six of the ten meetings have been at Denver, the other four 
were at Boulder, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Greeley. 



SECOND MEETING. 

The second meeting at Boulder will never be forgotten by 
the pilgrims who did penance on their journey thitherward. The 
discomfort of spending one day and night on the railroad, the 
train being stopped by snow, and nothing to eat until a loco- 
motive brought, towards morning, boxes of crackers from the 
rear, contributed to an experience not remembered with pleasure. 
The songs and jests and choruses of that tired, hungry crowd of 
teachers on the Colorado Central Railroad, on the night of the 
second of January, 1877, made a page in the history of the Asso- 
ciation. 

Arriving at Boulder, and landing on the houseless plain a 
mile away from town, with no person to receive or point out the 
way, -satchels in hand, they walked that cold, weary mile before 
sunrise on a winter morning, and arrived at the hotel to find little 
room. The people of the town did not choose generally to enter- 
tain such guests, even when financial remuneration was offered. 



— 57 — 

Late in the forenoon of the day of arrival a few score gath- 
ered in the church, and the second session was commenced. The 
Association has not met in Boulder since that time. 

From the President's address at that time the following 
extracts are taken : 

" For people of noble and patriotic purposes the world ever 
turns, unconciously, first to mountaineers. The Old World has 
given abundant evidence that whatever may be said of people of 
the lowlands, the denizens of high and rugged countries are ever 
eminent for integrity and enterprise. Thirty years from to-day 
the pupils of Colorado public schools will be the product of a 
people made up of the very best elements of the world, bred and 
trained in the purest air, and under the brightest sky of earth, 
surrounded by the comforts of a plenteous civilization, without its 
attendant evils." 

SCHOOL HOUSES. 

"Again, upon the basis of finance depends the building of 
school houses, and how many will be erected in Colorado in the 
immediate future ! What kind of a house ? How expensive ? What 
its interior arrangement? What its external appearance? If 
in your district an enterprise of this sort is discussing and you 
are not consulted, you may accept the fact as evidence of weak- 
ness. An architect will plan the house, the Board will accept the 
plans, and the teacher who occupies his proper position will be 
permitted materially to advise. What shall we advise ? A build- 
ing with two floors, never more, staircases open and every stair in 
sight from either floor, ample heating and ventilating apparatus, 
comfortable seatings, ample wardrobe and proper light. The peo- 
ple sometimes call for towers and elaborate belfries ; the archi- 
tect will insist upon. a proper architectural effect and display, while 
we will say, give us a comfortable, reasonable house with good 
teachers ; never mind the sky-scrapers, long flights of stairs and 
magnificent exteriors. Beautiful buildings will never make effect- 
ive schools. Our advice will not all be followed, but you and I, 
fellow teachers, have it in our power to save for our young State 



-58- 

hundreds of thousands of dollars within the next ten years, by 
taking a position against elaborate and expensive school build- 
ings made for ornament and show rather than for use." 

PAY AS YOU GO. 

"Shall we do what we can towards having as fine buildings 
as we can afford, but never sacrifice style, emulation or ambition 
in building, to debt? One dollar due in twenty years at lO per 
cent, interest sold to-day for eighty cents. How far does a dollar 
go that way? Let us vote bonds when we can't help ourselves. 
Let us keep our school finances healthy, and success in common 
school work is assured; with a great debt comes, sure as sunrise, 
weak teachers, poor schools, apathy among the people, and 
death." 

DISHONEST WOKK. 

" The reputation of a school is not to be relied upon unless 
years have been occupied in making it. When our young schools 
in Colorado are pronounced excellent it behooves us to look well 
to the work. 

"The sentiment of a district made and pronounced in a few 
weeks or months, expressive of the excellence of the public 
school, is built upon unstable notions. In physics, ro one dare 
judge of the merits of a machine until the product thereof has been 
produced and tested. So, with schools, no one can say they are 
excellent until their product has been sent out to form a constit- 
uent part of the community. True, there are many signs of a 
good school, as there are tokens of a good fruit tree, but the 
final, complete decision must be reserved for the appearance of 
the fruit." 

THE SCHOOLS ARE THE PEOPLE'S. 

" We must not forget that the schools are the people's, not 
ours, and that the ultimate directive force lies in the people, so 
that do we wish for reform or change, the expressed opinion of 
the people should precede action in school affairs. This doctrine 
is not altogether palatable, when one thinks of the hundred con- 



— 59 — 

flicting opinions, and of the approximate truth that every district 
contains a few individuals who are sure they can conduct your 
school infinitely better than you do, but we are to take the world 
as we have found it ; we cannot remake it." 

The entire proceedings and papers of the first and second 
meetings were printed by the State Superintendent, without 
expense to the Association. Since that time no complete record 
has been printed. The papers read in those years are as admir- 
able and as instructive to the profession to-day as they were at 
the time written. "Written Work," by I. C. Dennet; "The 
Kindergarten; Its Aims and Methods," by Emma C. Barrett; 
" Higher Education in Colorado," by David Boyd ; " Essential 
Incentives to Labor," by Lucinda Washburne, and "The Influence 
of the Newspaper Press on Education," were essays that have all 
been preserved in the pamphlet of proceedings of that year. 

The important resolutions passed by the Association from 
time to time, and which really make the platform of the Associa- 
tion, are herewith presented. 

The same spirit of earnest endeavor to do the best thing in 
the best way, characterizes the whole life of the institution. 

" Resolved, That we, as members of this Association, are 
heartily in sympathy with the State University in its work of 
education, and will do what we can to inspire an interest in its 
behalf among the people." 1877. 

" Resolved, That we commend the State University and its 
interests to the careful and persistent nurture of the State author- 
ities." 1879. 

"Resolved, That we regard that legislation as unfortunate, 
whereby the provision for higher education at the expense of the 
State is now dissipated by division of funds amongst three dis- 
tinct institutions ; That we believe the highest interests of public 
education would be subserved by a consolidation of the three 
State institutions: School of Mines, School of Agriculture, and 
State University, under the management of one Board of Control 
and Direction, thereby giving to each one the advantage of all, 
and avoid the expense of maintaining often three chairs of scien- 



— 6o — 

tific investigation, when one would accomplish the same amount 
and kind of instruction ; that we urge upon the Legislature the 
importance of well equiping and munificently maintaining these 
schools as the surest and safest guaranty of the prosperity of our 
commonwealth ; that we repeat our resolution of two years ago, 
viz. : That a State Reform School for boys is needed in Colorado, 
and that that system known as the family system is preferable to 
the old custom of congregating the inmates in one large com- 
munity or building ; That the hearty good wishes of this Associa- 
tion go with the retiring State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, and that we recognize that during his four years' faithful 
service the cause of public education in Colorado has reached a 
higher plane and maintained a prominent position in the country 
largely through his intelligent supervision." 1880. 



THIRD MEETING. 

The third meeting was held at Denver, January 3 and 4, 
1876. Hon. Jos. C. Shattuck delivered the President's address. 
The following names and subjects appear upon the programme of 
that meeting : 

Ella P. Beecher — " Conducting Recitations." 

Joseph Brinker, sen. — " Moral and Social Education." 

Oliver Howard — " That Boy, John ! " 

Nelly Lloyd Knox — " Lesson in Geography." 

Helen McG. Ayre.s — " Spelling." 

W. F. Wegener — "Natural Science." 

Jennie Fish — "Ventilation." 

Ira W. Davis — " School Attendance." 

R. S. Roeschlaub — " School Architecture." 

W. J. Waggener — " Text Books." 

A. E. Chase — " The Teacher as a Citizen." 

G. W. Buell— "Same Old Rut." 

The Executive Committee were: Messrs. Aaron Gove, H. 
L. Parker, and P. E. Morehouse. 



— 6i — 

The address of the President was an excellent document, 
discussing among other important issues the tendency of Legis- 
latures to enact compulsory education laws. 

After quoting from eminent school authorities on the subject, 
he closes the discussion in these words : 

" In our neighboring State of Kansas such a law has also 
been tried and found wanting. 

" In the Superintendent's report. for 1876 I find a report on 
this point from forty-nine counties, forty-one of which declare the 
law a complete failure ; in only three is it called a success, and in 
five a partial success, in that it increases the attendance by the 
moral influence which it exerts. What is remarkable in this 
respect is that only one County Superintendent expresses himself 
as opposed to the law in theory, while many proclaim their devo- 
tion to the idea while reporting the law a "dead letter." There 
are few persons that possess sufficient educational enthusiasm, or 
that take enough interest in their neighbors' affairs to be willing 
to incur their displeasure by complaining of them. The fame of 
the man who made a fortune by minding his own business has 
reached the rural districts. Is it not then settled as definitely as 
anything can be, by extensive and costly experiments, that no 
compulsory educational law can be made operative among 
American citizens ? Is it necessary to add a Colorado law to the 
wrecks that lie stranded along this shore ? I have friends here 
this morning who are, or have been, earnest advocates of such a 
law. If any of them are not satisfied with the exhibit I have 
given, let them come to my office and I will feed them on such 
reports till they cry, ' Hold, enough ! ' 

" Let us first have school-houses enough for all, and in them 
schools, attractive, efficient and free; if then there be found a 
portion of our population untouched by our educational system, 
then, certainly not till then, may we 'go out into the highways 
and hedges and compel them to come in,' by law. 

" Let us have no more attempts to find the last term of our 
series till we have the first term and the ratio." 



62 — 



FOURTH MEETING. 

The fourth meeting was held at Denver, January 2 and 3, 
1879. 

The President, Miss L. Washburn, presided, and dehvered 
the annual address. This was filled with a general review of 
education from the beginning of the world to the present time. 
The report touched upon the manner in which schools were con- 
ducted in ages past, and compared with the present generation ; 
how the Greeks and Romans made education subservient to their 
religion, etc. 

Miss Washburn referred to a clause in the German school 
law, which says that " private schools may be opened in Prussia, 
but must come under State Supervisors, and teachers of such 
schools must be examined and receive permits to teach by the 
Government authorities. Also, pupils of such schools must be 
subject to examination by the State Regents." The speaker 
suggested that such means should be taken to educate the 
children of America. She also cited a law now on the statute 
books of Connecticut which reads "that the town shall pay for 
the schooling of the poor, and all deficiencies." 

Compulsory education in some states has not proved a success, 
as the labors of some school officers have almost exclusively 
been confined to looking after truant absentees from the schools. 

Her address concluded with a concise review of education 
for generations, and was fully appreciated by the teachers present. 

Rev. W. R. Alger delivered an address to the Association in 
the evening. 

The papers and authors at this meeting are as follows : 

W. R. Thomas — "Political Science in the Common School." 

Miss M. A. Pease — "Grammar." 

N. E. Garbutt — " Education." 

Miss S. C. White — " Phonetic Work in Primary Schools." 



-63- 

Mr. Hershberger — "Odds and Ends." 
Miss E. Sabin — " Language." 
I. C. Dennett — "Discipline." 

F. J. Annis — " Struggle for Existence in Our Profession." 
Miss M. A. Tupper — "Mistakes and Remedies in Primary 
Work." 

J. A. Sewall— " What Shall We Do With Our Boys ?" 
Miss S. O'Brien— "The Study of Words." 
J. H. Baker — "The Essence of Learning." 

After the adoption of resolutions, the following officers were 
duly elected for the ensuing year : 

President, Dr. J. A. Sewall, of Boulder. 

Vice-President At Large, Miss Emma Sabin, of George- 
town. 

Vice-President, First Judicial District, L. S. Cornell, of 
Denver. 

Vice-President, Second Judicial District, W. A. Donaldson, 
of Denver. 

Vice President, Third Judicial District, Miss M. A. Pease, of 
Pueblo. 

Vice-President, Fourth Judicial District, Mr. H. Hershber- 
ger, of West Las Animas. 

Secretary, Miss F. Randall. / 

First Assistant Secretary, Miss M. A. Tupper, of Colorado 
Springs. 

Second Assistant Secretary, Miss C. Peabody, of Denver. 

Treasurer, Hon. J. C. Shattuck, of Denver. 

Executive Committee, Mr. F. J. Annis, of Greeley ; I. C. 
Dennett, of Pueblo; Miss N. O. Smith, of Denver. 

The Association then adjourned for the session. 



-64- 

FIFTH MEETING. 

The fifth session was held at Denver, December 30 and 31, 
1879, President J. A. Sewall presiding. 

After the President's address and appointment of committees 
the following programme was carried out : 

Mrs. A. A. Aldrich — " Order in the School Room." 
L. S. Cornell — "Studies, Ungraded Schools." 
A. F. Joab — "Study and the Teacher." 
Kate N. Tupper — " School and State." 
G. W. Farris — " Cramming Grammar." 
Juliette Toll — "Education vs. Labor." 

Oliver Howard — " Four Years Among the Schools of Weld 
County." 

Miss R. W. Bartlett — " Women as Educators." 
Ella Leichty — " Language." 

David Boyd — " How Far Should the State Educate ?" 
Aaron Gove — "School Troubles" 

The following telegrams were received from other State Asso- 
ciations : 

Bloomington, Ills., December 30. 
Illinois returns the greeting of her mountain sister, and 400 
teachers rejoice to find their wandering brothers putting on airs. 

A. Harvey, 
President State Association. 
Madison, Wis., December 30. 
Greeting acknowledged and returned. May your work be 
as productive and enduring as your hills. 

W. H. Beach, 
Pres. Wis. Teachers' Association. 
Indianapolis, Ind,, December 31. 
From 500 Hoosier schoolmasters to their brethren of the 
Centennial State, greeting. Shake. By order of Association. 

J. L. Merrill, 

President. 





,i^*^^^^ 



-65- 

St. Paul, Minn, December 30. 

Our work makes the whole world kin. We send you cor- 
dial greeting. 

O. Whitman, 
Pres. Minn. Educational Association. 

The following officers were elected for the next year : 

President, J. H. Baker, Denver. 

Vice-President at Large, Kate N. Tupper, Colorado Springs. 

Vice-President, First Judicial District, T. L. Belham, Golden. 

Vice-President, Second Judicial District, David Boyd, 
Greeley. 

Vice-President, Third Judicial District, A. B. Patton, Pueblo. 

Vice-President, Fourth Judicial District, H. L. Parker, Col- 
orado Springs. 

Secretary, G. W. Faris, Black Hawk. 

First Assistant Secretary, Miss B. M. Porter, Georgetown. 

Second Assistant Secretary, Miss E. Lichty, Pueblo. 

Treasurer, Joseph C. Shattuck, Denver. 

Executive Committee, A. P>. Chase, Georgetown; Paul 
Hanus, Boulder; Charles J. Harris, Denver. 

The meeting closed with a social entertainment on the even- 
ist. 



SIXTH MEETING. 

The sixth annual meeting of the Association was held at 
Denver, December 28 and 29, 1 880. The President, James H. 
Baker, presided, and delivered the annual address. The sub- 
ject of the address was " The Poetic Principle." From it the 
following extracts are taken : 

"The child, left to itself amidst the natural environments of 
country life, teaches us true and deep lessons. As soon as by 
contact with nature through the senses the mind is awakened, he 
discovers beauty in the flower, is pleased with the green land- 
scape and laughs with Nature's cheerful moods. Before the reason 
is employed or the intuitions defined, he is attracted by the 



— 66 — 

beauty of natural objects, and is lulled by the soothing influence 
of music. He soon weaves fanciful pictures in his mental world, 
builds strange castles, peoples the air with impossible beings, and 
dreams of wonderful climes. He longs for legend and fairy tale 
and listens to them with pleased credulity. He chases the but- 
terfly by a natural instinct. 

" This tendency of childhood to thrill with the inspirations 
of Nature, and to love fanciful creations is innate. Were man 
never burdened with absorbing cares and selfishness this tendency 
would never leave him. We find here the rudiments of that 
principle which grows into the ideals, purpose and enthusiasm of 
manhood, and which controlled by reason moves the world. 
Happy the man whose childhood has taken thorough lessons in 
this first school of life. 

" Books are but a means to bring us back in later )-ears to a 
fuller knowledge of Nature's meaning. 

" The teacher whose life is aimless and whose labor is mechan- 
ical, is not worthy of the calling. Earnestness, progress and love 
of truth all come from the poetic principle. A nature full of 
poetry places ideals before the mind and awakens zeal and enthu- 
siasm. The minds of children should be influenced and led by 
enthusiasts. More of success in life comes from the soul of the 
teacher than from the routine work. Teaching is .sacred, and no 
one is fit to engage in the work unless he is willing to use all 
means for right and powerful influence." 

The programme was as follows : 

Paper — " The Teacher and His Work," W. S. Thomas, Lead- 
ville. 

Discussion — Aaron Gove, Denver. 

Paper — " Development of Faculties in Primary Work," 
Adele K. Clark, Greeley. 

Paper — " Education and the State," E. V.. Edwards, P'ort 
Collins. 

Discussion — David Boyd, Greeley ; J. A. Sewall, Boulder. 

Lecture—" The Real Value of Culture," Rev. R. L. Her- 
bert, Denver. 



-67- 

Paper — "Methods of Teaching Elementary Algebra," W. 
A. Andrus, Canon City. 

Discussion — Paul PI. Hanus, Boulder; Professor Ira Baker, 
Georgetown. 

Paper — " Education of Women," F. E. Smith, Black Plawk. 

Discussion — Charles J. Harris, Denver; Mary J. Thomas, 
Boulder. 

The resolutions printed on a foreging page, concerning the 
consolidation of the various educational schools in Colorado, 
were passed after a thorough discussion. 

The Committee on Nominations presented the following 
names as officers for the ensuing year: 

President, Isaac Dennett, Boulder. 

Vice-President at Large, Miss Mary Thomas, Boulder. 

Vice-President First Judicial District, H. M. Hale, Gilpin. 

Vice-President Second Judicial District, D. C. Roberts, 
Arapahoe. 

Vice-President Third Judicial District, W. A Andrus, 
Fremont. 

Vice-President Fourth Judicial District, W. C. Thomas, 
Lake. 

Secretary, H. F. Wegener, Arapahoe. 

Assistant Secretary, Alice Blackwood, Clear Creek. 

Treasurer, Aaron Gove, Arapahoe. 

Executive Committee, David Boyd, Weld; ¥. E. Smith, 
Gilpin; J. P. Easterly, El Paso. 

Mr. Gove moved to amend, by striking out his name for 
Treasurer, and substituting the name of J. C. Shattuck, the pres- 
ent incumbent. Carried. 

The Committee on School Law reported the following: 

Resolved, That the granting of State Diplomas be placed in 
the hands of a committee who will prepare questions for exam- 
ination for State Diplomas and also for County Boards, and that 
the Sciences be struck off the Third Class Certificates. This was 
adopted. 



— 68 — 

Telegrams were sent to several other states announcing that 
the Teachers' Institute of the Centennial State was in session. 

The Massachusetts State Teachers' Association sent hearty 
congratulations, and wished all members of the Association a 
Happy New Year. Ohio also sent greeting. 

The meeting closed with a reunion in the evening, which 
was held at the High School Building, and was well attended. 
The first part of the evening was devoted to conversation, after 
which tlxe company was entertained by readings and music. 



SEVENTH MEETING. 

The seventh meeting was held at Colorado Springs, Decem- 
ber 28, 29 and 30, 1 88 1. 

The President, I. C. Dennett, delivered the annual address. 

The Programme, as printed, was as follows: 

Address of Welcome — Rev. T. C. Kirkwood, Colorado 
Springs. 

Response — President I. C. Dennett, Boulder. 

Lecture — "Our Foreign Schoolmasters," Prof Geo. N. Mar- 
den, Colorado College. 

President's Address — I. C. Dennett, Boulder. 

Paper — "Teacher's Work Outside of Text Book," J. S. 
McClung, Pueblo. 

Paper — "P^volution of Primary Methods, "Miss Giddings, 
Colorado Springs. 

Paper — " Mathematical Geography," Robert H. Beggs, 
Denv^er. 

Paper — "Spelling Reform," W. R. Callicotte, Leadville. 

Short Addresses : 

Lecture — J. A. Sewall, State University. 

"Technical Education," Pres. A. E. Hale, School of Mines. 

"Discipline of Education," Pres. D. D. Moore, Denver Uni- 
versity. 

"Social Culture in School," Hon. J. C. Shattuck, Denver. 



-69- 

" Educational Outlook," Hon. L. S. Cornell, State Supt. 

Paper — "Cognition in School Work," Robert Casey, Greeley. 

Query Box. 

Paper— "The Modern School Ma'am," Miss M. R. Campbell, 
Fort Collins. 

Paper— "What to Read and How to Read It," M. J. Spauld- 
ing, Nevada. 

Interesting discussions on the papers and other topics were 
participated in by those present. 

The report of the Committee on Resolutions, which was 
adopted, stated that any movement looking toward the adoption 
of a system of English .spelling based upon phonetic principles 
merits the warmest sympathies and heartiest co-operation of the 
teachers. It also stated that teachers of acknowledged merit 
should be relieved from the annoyance of periodical examinations. 
Thanks were expressed to the citizens of Colorado Springs, 
especially Superintendent Easterly, for entertainment, to the 
School Board, to the Executive Committee, to the railroads, 
hotel, President Dennett, and the daily papers. 

The Committee on Nominations presented the following 
names as officers for the next meeting: 

President, J. S. McClung, Pueblo. 

Vice-President First Judicial District, Mrs. L. A. Austin, 
Gilpin. 

Vice-President Second Judicial District, P. H. Hawes, 
Arapahoe. 

Vice-President Third Judicial District, A. B. Patton, Pueblo. 

Vice-President Fourth Judicial District, C. W. Parkinson, 
El Paso. 

Vice-President Fifth Judicial District, Emma Greer, Lake. 

Vice-President Sixth Judicial District, N. A. Andrews, 
PVemont. 

Secretary, Robert H. Beggs, Denver. 

Executive Committee, L. S. Cornell, J. W. Barnes, Robert 
Casey. 

Treasurer, Joseph C. Shattuck. 



A social meeting was held on the evening of the last day. 
All enjoyed the music, recitations and refreshments. 
The session was a very successful one. 



EIGHTH MEETING. 

The eighth meeting was held at Pueblo, December 27, 28 
and 29, 1882. 

The following was the programme : 

DECEMBER 2/. — 7:30 P. M. 

Music. 

Address ot Welcome — Dr. A. Y. Hull, Pueblo. 

Response — Aaron Gove, Denver, 

Social Reunion. 

DECEMBER 28. 

Music. 

President's Address — J. S. McClung, Pueblo. 

"Object Lessons in Primary and Intermediate Departments," 
Miss Hamer, Trinidad. 

"Teaching Literature in Connection with Composition Writ- 
ing," Miss A. D. Sharp, Gunnison. 

Music. 

" More Thorough Organization of the Public Schools Essen- 
tial to the Accomplishment of Their Ultimate Purpose," O. F. 
Johnson, Maysville. 

" Conscience in Public Work," Miss L. S. Tallman, Lake 
City. 

Music. 

Lecture, Paul Hanus, Boulder. 

Short Addresses : 

"What Shall the Schools do for the State," A. B. Copeland, 
Greeley. 

" The Teacher as a Citizen," Samuel leaker, Canon Cit\-. 



71 



DECEMBER 29. 

" Moral Training in Education," Ada E. Bucklin, Canon 
City. 

" The Teacher's Mission and Duty of Parents," H. B. Coe, 
Del Norte. 

" The Teacher's Preparation," Miss L. K. Noyes, Colorado 
Springs. 

Music. 

" Pupil's Fund of General Information," E. C. Stevens, 
Alamosa. 

" Necessity of a High School Course in Our Village 
Schools," O. J. Bates, Trinidad. 

Music. 

Short addresses. 

" Technical Education," President A. E. Hale, Golden. 

" Discipline ; Its Relation to the School and State, How 
Best Secured," Chas. V, Parker, Georgetown. 

" Dangers Within the Profession of Teaching." M. D. L. 
Buell, West Las Animas. 

Music. 



NINTH MEETING. 
The ninth meeting was held at Greeley, December 26, 27 
and 28, 1883. 

The programme was as follows : 

DECEMBER 26 — / : 3O P. M. 

Address of Welcome — A. K. Packard, Greeley. 
Response, H. M. Hale — President of the Association. 
Social Reunion. 

DECEMBER 2/. 

President's Address— H. M. Hale, Central. 

" Exercise in Map Sketching," Hattie E. Hays, Alamosa. 



" On Friday Afternoon," Mary E. Whiting, Denver. 

" To What Extent Should the Citizen be Educated by the 
State ? " E. Thomas, Boulder. 

Discussion — A. C. Courtney, Golden. 

Class exercise, illustrating the tonic-sol-fa method. Miss 
Crabtree, Greeley. 

" Does the Prevailing Method of Teaching Modern Lan- 
guages Produce Satisfa:ctory Results?" F. E. Smith, Greeley. 

Discussion — W. C. Thomas, Leadville ; T. B. Gault, South 
Pueblo. 

Lecture — Dr. G. De La Matyr, Denver. 

DECEMBER 28. 

" Should the National Government Give the Cause of Pop- 
ular Education Pecuniary Aid ? " L. S. Cornell, Del Norte. 

Discussion — A. D. Bailey, Littleton. 

"The Kindergarten and the Public School," Miss Sarah 
Allen, Fort Collins. 

" How Shall We Deal with the Vicious Habits of Reading?" 
W. W. Remington, Fort Collins. 

" The Living Teacher as a Personal Force in Education," 
Winthrop D. Sheldon, Colorado Springs. 

"On the Teaching of English Language," Sarah M. Graham, 
Denver. 

" What Is Industrial P^ducation, and What are Its Possibil- 
ities?" President C. L. Ingersoll, Fort Collins. 

Discussion — Miss Brown, Black Hawk. 

" The Teacher as a Member of Society," Fanny Manly, 
Georgetown. 

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : 

President, David Boyd, Greeley. 

Vice-President, W. W. Remington, Fort Collins. 

Secretary, W. C. Thomas, Leadville. 

Treasurer, J. C. Shattuck, Denver. 

Executive Committee, J. C. McClung, Pueblo ; R. H. Beggs, 
Denver ; A. C. Courtney, Golden. 



— 73 — 

TENTH MEETING. 

The tenth annual meeting of the Association was held at 
Denver, December 29, 30 and 31,1 884. 

Rev. Myron W. Reed delivered a lecture Monday evening, 
December 29. 

The remainder of the programme was as follows: 

President's Address — David Boyd, Greeley. 

Paper — "Unmarked Results," Harriet Scott, Pueblo. 

" Scientific Temperance Instruction in Schools," A. B. Cope- 
land, Greeley. 

"A New Demand," T. B. Gault, South Pueblo. 

"Philosophy of Teaching," Miss M. A. B. Witter, North 
Denver. 

" What Lack We Yet? " Jos. C. Shattuck, Denver. 

Discussion — Fred. Dick, Trinidad. 

Lecture—" The Development of Character," Prof p:dwin C. 
Hewett, Normal, Ills. 

"The Microscope in the School Room," H. F. Wegener, 
West Denver. 

" Method and Variety in School Work," Mary E. Newell, 
Leadville. 

"Theory as Related to Practice in Teaching," Chas. A. 
McMurry, Denver. 

" How to Secure a Judicious Cut-down in Geography," 
Pres. J. A. Sewall, Boulder. 

" Selection and Use of School Libraries," Frona R. Houghan, 
Denver. 

" School Reading," E. C. Stevens, Alamosa. 

" Mi-stakes in School Management," E. L Byington, Col- 
orado Springs. 

Discussion — T. E. Irwin, La Junta. 

" The Teacher out of School," Aaron Gove, Denver. 

The following are a part of the resolutions passed at the 
close of this meeting: 

Resolved, That the Hon. H. M. Hale, with two others whom 
he may appoint, shall constitute a committee, the duty of which 



— 74 — 

shall be to prepare and print a pamphlet embodying a history of 
the schools of Colorado, and especially a history of this Associa- 
tion, now just completing its tenth year of life; and that said 
committee be hereby empowered to draw on the treasury of this 
Association to the extent of $200 to defray expenses, said money 
to be refunded from the proceeds of the sale of said pamphlet. 

Resolved, That it is the decided sense of this Association that 
the true aim of education is the development of character ; thaf 
the culture of the heart should never be subordinated to that ot 
the head — the training of the conscience to the training of the 
intellect — and that in the realization of this aim we recognize as 
the most potent factor a true Christian morality embodied in the 
character of the living teacher and pervading and guiding all the 
work of the school. 

The following are the officers elected for the coming year : 

President, L. S. Cornell, Denver. 

Vice-President, 

Secretary, James H. Van Sickle, North Denver. 

Treasurer, Jos. C. Shattuck, Denver. 

Executive Committee. George B. Long, Denver ; 

Leonard. 



Part III 



Biographical Sketches, 



Biographical Sketches. 



JAMES H. BAKER. 

James H. Baker, for the past ten years Principal of the Den- 
ver High School, was born in Harmony, Maine, October 13, 
1848; in 1870 he removed to Lewiston, having entered Bates 
College in that city the year before. His preparatory education 
was obtained at the Hartland Academy and Nichols Latin 
School. He graduated in 1873, taking next to the highest rank 
in a large class, notwithstanding much unavoidable absence. He 
had a varied experience in teaching in district and grammar 
schools, in the Topsham Family School for Boys, and as Principal 
of the Anson and East Lebanon Academies. After graduating 
from college he was engaged as Principal of the Yarmouth High 
School. This institution had for many years been known as 
Yarmouth Academy, but it was at this time converted into a 
public high school, and its organization and the preparation of a 
course of study were entrusted to Mr. Baker. The Superintend- 
ing School Committee of Yarmouth in their report of 1874 speak 
as follows : 

" Mr. Baker has proven himself a good disciplinarian, an 
excellent scholar and a thorough, .systematic teacher. His school 
has been a model of good order, quietness and hard study." 

The following year they say: "The Committee, upon each 
visit, have found the High School in excellent condition. Its 
progress has been onward and upward. The method of instruc- 
tion has been thorough, and the discipline all that could be 
desired. Indeed, the development of the mental faculties of 
almost every pupil has been exceedingly gratifying within the 
past year." 

Mr. Baker left this position in 1875 to take charge of the 
Denver High School. Of his work here the History of Denver, 



-76- 

published in 1880, speaks as follows: "The upbuilding of the 
Denver High School, almost from the beginning, is mainly due to 
his constant and unwearied efforts. He is a gentleman of ripe 
scholarship and varied experince in school work. He is a con- 
stant student and an enthusiastic teacher, earnestly dev^oted to 
his profession. Thorough, concientious and methodical himself, 
he insists upon the same painstaking care on the part of his 
pupils. He has labored to maintain a .standard of school work 
fully equal to that of the best similar institutions in the eastern 
cities. How well he has succeeded the present flourishing con- 
dition of the Denver High School will show." 

Since the above statement was written this department of 
the Denver Public Schools has kept pace with the rapid growth 
of the city, and the development of the school system. The per- 
centage of enrollment in the High School is unusually large. The 
school is provided with a superior course of study, and in all its 
departments it is furnished with nearly everything that can con- 
tribute to its efficiency. During his residence in Denver Mr. 
Baker has observed the workings of some of the best High 
School systems elsewhere and has studied the methods presented 
in the various departments of the Martha's Vineyard Summer 
Institute, including a course of lectures in pedagogics. Keeping 
thus fully abreast with all the most advanced methods of the 
times he has been quick to adopt their mcst desirable features, 
and apply them, with whatever modifications seemed necessary, 
in his own field of labor. 

In addition to his regular work he has been a constant student 
of several special branches, including metaphysics and literature. 
He was Alumni Orator at his college in 1883. In 1882 he had a 
virtual offer of the Presidency of the Colorado State Agricultural 
College, but decided to remain in his present position. He has 
been an active member of the State Teachers' Association ; he 
was President of the Association in 1 880, and was elected Pres- 
ident of the High School and College section for 18S5. 



77 



AARON GOVE. 

Aaron Gove, the Superintendent, has had charge of the Den- 
ver city schools since 1874. He was born in Hampton Falls, N. 
H., September 26, 1839. When he was eight years old he was 
taken by his parents to Boston, where he passed through the 
several grades of the public schools. In 1855 his father removed 
to Illinois and settled in La Salle County, where, for ten years he 
was the village blacksmith. Mr. Gove began teaching at the age 
of fifteen, and in the interims between the sessions of his schools 
completed the course at the Illinois State Normal School. In 
the summer of 1861 he entered the volunteer service of the 
United States Army, remaining three years, the last two as 
Adjutant of the Thirt}'-Third Illinois Infantry. Soon after leaving 
the service he returned to his profession and took charge of the 
schools at his old home at New Rutland, Illinois. In 1868 he 
accepted an invitation to superintend the schools at Normal, 111. 
Here he remained five years teaching, and owning and editing 
the Illinois Schoolmaster, a State educational journal of high 
standing. In 1874 he was called to the Superintendenc}' of the 
Denver Schools, which position he accepted, and which he now 
occupies. 

He has devoted his life to the work of the school room_ 
Entering at the age of three years, he has been in the school 
room almost every school day for forty years. He is a careful and' 
successful manager, a devoted worker in the cause of public edu- 
cation, and in recognition of his superior ability and high stand- 
ing among the educators of the country, Dartmouth College, at 
which his eldest son is now (1885) a Sophomore, conferred upon 
him, in 1878, the degree of Master of Arts. 



'8 — 



LEONIDAS S. CORNELL. 

Leonidas S. Cornell was born at Athens, Ohio, and at an 
early age moved with his parents to Fulton County, Illinois. His 
father was a farmer and found plenty of work for his son for nine 
niontlis in the year, the other three months being devoted to 
educational work at the district school. As time passed on the 
opportunities for attending school increased, and at the age of 
eighteen Mr. Cornell began teaching, having previously prepared 
for college at Fulton Seminary. He taught for two years, and 
then entered the ministry, and took a three-years' course in the- 
ology at the same time. Having determined to take a course at 
college he now entered Westfield College and complcd the scien- 
tific course and received the degree of B. S. After this he took 
charge af a congregation at Bloomington, Illinois, which position 
he held as pastor until failing health caused him to seek a home 
in Colorado. 

He reached Denver in February, 1873, and soon after taught 
his first school in Colorado, which was an ungraded one in 
Jefferson County. After teaching two years in this school Mr. 
Cornell went to Boulder County, and taught until elected County 
Superintendent of Schools. He was Principal of the Longmont 
High School when nominated for the office. This office he held 
for two terms and until the fall of 1880, when he v.'as nominated 
and elected Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State for 
a term of two years. At the expiration of his term of office he 
took charge of the public schools of Del Norte, Colorado, which 
position he held until the first of January; 1885, when he resigned 
for the purpose of entering the second time the office of Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction, he having again been elected to 
that office at the election in November by a flattering majority. 
At the meeting of the State Teachers' Association, held in Den- 
ver, December, 1885, Mr. Cornell was elected President of tliat 
body. 

In appearance Mr. Cornell is tall and erect, being about six 
feet two, and weighs 185 pounds. He has ilark hair and bjard. 



— 79 — 

and a, keen grey eye. He is a man of great energy, quick in 
motion, and capable of doing a large amount of work. Mr. Cor- 
nell is now a little past forty and appears to be good yet for man)' 
years of useful service in the school work. 



LUCINDA WASHBURN. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Potsdam, St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., in the year 1836, being just a few years too 
late for that old landmark of pioneer days, the log schoolhouse ; 
and several years too early to reap any special benefit from the 
State Normal School, now located at that place. The early 
years of her school life were passed in the district schools of the 
village and vicinity ; while, after that time, the struggle for an 
education, or rather for the foundation of one, was continued in 
what was then known as the St. Lawrence Acadeni}', but which 
in after years gave place to the Normal School above mentioned. 
Like most children who are born of " poor but respectable par- 
ents," she w^as made to realize early in life the stern but whole- 
some truth that " Life is real, life is earnest." She was also 
taught to believe that in order to make that life a comfortable suc- 
cess, it must be filled with useful and pleasant as well as profita- 
ble duties. Having developed in childhood a disposition to disci- 
pline and govern the household, it was decided by the elder mem- 
bers of the family, as well as by her own inclinations, that she 
should turn her attention to the art of teaching. As is usual in 
such cases, there were several terms of what is called "practice 
work" in the district schools near her home, while she was yet a 
school girl. This early experience, with the instruction which 
was gathered from institutes, together with constant study, has 
enabled her to formulate methods by which she has attained to at 
least average success in her chosen life work. At the age of 18 
she made a trip to Wisconsin for the purpose of visiting friends ; 
also to make an actual beginning in the work of teaching. At 
the expiration of two years she returned to her old home, where 
the work' was continued in the different districts of her nati\-e vil- 



— 8o — 

lage, in what was then known as Union Schools tliroughout the 
East. 

In 1 86 1 she returned to Wisconsin, where she taught for several 
years in the graded schools of the towns of Ripon and Berlin, the 
greater part of the time, however, being spent in the former 
place. Although something of a wanderer, and fond of new 
scenes and novel experiences, still her deepest, best and warmest 
emotions were true to her childhood home and friends ; and she 
often found herself wandering back to them, sometimes for only 
a summer's vacation, at others for a year or two of work and 
pleasure combined. The Wisconsin work occupied in all about 
ten years, and was given at three different periods. The greater 
part of the work done in the East was in her native town ; how- 
ever, two years that were spent in the schools of Watertown, 
Jefferson County, N. Y., she considers the most useful to herself, 
as well as in many ways the most beneficial to her pupils, of any 
of the years of her work. 

In 1874 her "Bohemian tendencies" attracted her to the 
"wilds of Colorado," where she met with cordial words of sym- 
pathy and encouragement from active workers who were already 
in the field and laboring zealously for the cause of education. 
Her work in Colorado has been confined entirely to the schools 
of Georgetown and Boulder ; that in the latter place being given 
after the first two years in Georgetown. Her labors in George- 
town began with the opening of the new building and the grading 
of the schools in the winter of 1875. She is at present finishing 
her eighth year of service in those schools, where she has worked 
in each and every department, whenever and wherever in the 
minds of the people she could best serve the interests of the 
school. Wherever her future field of labor may be, she feels that 
the ten years passed in Colorado and in association with her 
warm-hearted people are to be counted among the happiest of her 
life, and that she must ever look upon the " Sunny Land " as the 
land of her adoption, to be returned to from time to time with 
feelings second only to those which she entertains for her child- 
hood's home. 



8i 



DAVID BOYD. 



David Boyd was born in Antrim County, Ireland, in 1833, of 
Scotch Presbyterian parents. He immigrated with his father's fam- 
ily to the United States in 185 i. The family remained two years in 
Western New York, when he moved with it to the State of Mich- 
igan, where he was engaged in farming until 1857, when he 
entered the Tecumseh High School with the view of preparing 
for admission to the Michigan State University. This he entered 
in the autumn of 1859, having received the Bernard scholarship, 
one of two then awarded to students who stood highest in the 
examinations required on entering the classical course of the Uni- 
versity. 

He remained in the University until the completion of the 
third course, when he entered as a private in Company I, Eight- 
eenth Michigan Infantry. He remained in this regiment until the 
autumn of 1863, when he accepted a commission from Andrew 
Johnson, then military Governor of Tennessee, for the purpose of 
recruiting negroes for the United States army. In February of 
next year he was mustered in as Captain of Company A, Fortieth 
United States C. Infantry, in which capacity he served to 
the close of the war and was mustered out with the 'regiment. 
April 25, 1865. 

As he had been pursuing the studies of the senior year dur- 
ing the last year of army life, when he returned to Michigan he 
was examined with the class of 1866 and graduated as a member 
of it, then receiving the degree of A. B. Three years later he 
received from the same University the degree A. M. After grad- 
uating he married, purchased a farm in the State of Michigan, 
where he remained until the spring of 1870, when he joined the 
colony that settled at Greeley, Weld County, Colo. Since then 
his principal occupation has been farming, but he has been much 
connected with the schools of that town and county, having been 
President of the Greeley School Board and Superintendent of the 



— 82 — 

schools of the county. He has been for some time President of 
the State Board of Agriculture, the members of which are trus- 
tees of the State Agricultural college. 

In 1876 he attended the first meeting of the Colorado State 
Teachers' Association, and has attended and taken an active part 
in all its sessions since held save one. 

Not being himself a teacher, it was no doubt in view of the 
early and continued interest which he has taken in the Associa- 
tion which led it, at its session held in Greeley, 1883, to elect him 
its ninth President. 



JAMt:S S. McCLUNG. 

James S. McClung was born near Hennepin, Putnam County, 
Ills., July I, 1838. Until about eighteen years of age he lived 
on the home farm, attending a district school during the winter 
terms, generally of three or four months. 

In the autumn of 1856 he went to Ohio and spent one year 
at South Salem Academy, beginning his preparatory work for 
college. 

Returning home at the end of the year, he went to work on 
the farm again, keeping on with his studies, in part, under the 
directions of the Rev. John Marquis, a Presbyterian clergyman. 

In 1859 he entered the Freshman class at Illinois College 
and continued there until he completed the Sophomore year. In 
September, 1861, he took charge of the village graded school at 
Granville, Putnam County, -Ills. At the end of the school year 
he left his studies and enlisted as a r.ecruit in Company E, Fourth 
Illinois Cavalry. 

In the spring of 1863 he was afflicted with sore eyes, from 
which he did not recover sufficiently to be able to study for 
several years. In May, 1865, he was discharged from the service, 
but found that the condition of his eyes would not allow him to 
continue his studies at college. 



He attempted teaching again in the spring of 1866, at 
Harvard, Ills., but was obliged to quit on account of his eyes. In 
1868 he was appointed to fill a vacancy as County Superintend- 
ent of Schools in Putnam County, Ills. In 1869 he was again 
elected to this office, and at the same time took charge of the 
graded school at Hennepin, Ills. At the end of the next school 
year he resigned his office to take charge of the schools at 
Henry, Marshall County, Ills. After remaining three years at 
Henry, he resigned to accept a similar position at Delavan, Ills. 
Here he remained for six j^ears, from 1873 to 1879. 

In 1868 he became a member of the Illinois State Teachers' 
Association, and attended its meetings regularly until he left the 
State. He was also a member of the Illinois State Society of 
School Principals ; he was Secretary of this Society for two 
years, and President of the same in the year 1875. 

In August, 1870, he was asked to take charge of the schools 
at Pueblo, Colo. This appointment he accepted, and has just 
entered on his seventh years' work in this place. 



I. C. DENNETT. 

I. C. Dennett, the seventh President of the State Teachers' 
Association, was born December 7, 1849, and is a native of 
Maine. He was educated in the public schools of Lewiston, 
Maine, and graduated from Bates College in 1873. For three 
years he was Principal of the High School at Castine and at 
Yarmouth. In 1876 he settled in Colorado, first as Principal of 
Schools at Central City and afterward as Superintendent of- 
Schools at Pueblo. 

In 1879 he was elected to the chair of Greek and Latin in 
the University of Colorado, at Boulder. In 188; 
ferred to the chair of Latin, which he still occupies. 



— 84 — 

JOSEPH A. SEWALL. 

The State University of Colorado was opened at Boulder on 
the third of September, 1877, and Dr. Joseph A. Sewall was 
installed as its first President. Pres. Sewall, when chosen, was 
Professor of Natural Sciences in the State Normal School of 
Illinois. He is a native of Scarborough, Me., and received a 
medical education in Boston, Mass. He afterward pursued a 
course of study in the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard 
University. — Applctons Encyclopicdia. 



JOSEPH C. SHATTUCK. 

was born P^ebruary 28, 1835, at Marlboro, N. H., and educated 
in the common schools and in Westminster Seminary, West- 
minster, Vt. In 1857 he entered Wesleyan University at Middle- 
town, Conn., but soon after went to Missouri to engage in 
teaching. In i860 he returned North and taught at Phillipsburg, 
N. J., and afterward in New Hampshire. 

In 1862 he received the appointment of chief clerk in the 
quartermarter's office at Lebanon, Mo., entering upon its duties 
January, 1863, and remaining till near the close of the war. In 
1866 he resumed teaching in Missouri. In 1870 he joined Lhu'on 
Colony and removed to Colorado, being one of the early settlers 
of Greeley, and organizing the first graded school in the new 
town. In 1 87 1 he was elected one of the trustees of the colony, 
and in 1872 Vice-President, which position he held until he was 
elected Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State at the 
first State election, October, 1876. He was re-elected in 1878 
and again elected in 1882. 

In June, 1885, he was elected by the Trustees of the Uni- 
versity of Denver, Dean of the Academic Department, and put 
in charge of the premises as chief executive officer in all business 
affairs of the institution. He was married August 17, 1858, to 
Miss Hattie M. Knight, of Marlborough, N. H., and has three 
children. 



-85- 

HORACE MORRISON HALE. 

was born at Hollis, N. H , March 6, 1833, the fourth son in a 
a family of five boys and one girl. His father's name was John, 
and his mother's maiden name Jane Morrison, a lineal descendant 
of John Morrison, one of the first settlers of Londonderry, N. 
H., (1720.) His father's ancestors were also early settlers in New 
Hampshire and Massachusetts. The line of ancestry, on his 
father's side, leads back to the English, and on his mother's side 
to the Scotch. 

In 1837 his father moved to Rome, N. Y., and, after a resi- 
dence there of four years, to North Bloomfield, N. V., where the 
family remained until the death of the father, in 1852. 

His father being a mechanic and inventor, the proprietor of 
a foundry and machine shop, and also of a manufacturing 
establishment for agricultural implements, threshing machines, 
etc , and a firm believer in the doctrine that boys should work, 
Horace became, at an early age, familiar with tools and quite 
expert in the various branches of handicraft, both of wood and 
iron ; so that he had the advantages of an industrial education 
during about nine months of each year, while his schooling cov- 
ered three months, at the village school. 

Soon after the death of his father the family became separa- 
ted; the older children had become of age, and the younger were 
thrown upon their own resources Horace, although entirely with- 
out money, resolved to take a college course. In the winter of 
1852, the trustees of a neighboring district offered him the situa- 
tion of teacher of their school, at ^ 14 a month and "board 'round." 
This he accepted, and thus at the age of nineteen — a mere boy 
— weighing less than a hundred pounds, taking charge of a 
country school of forty-five sons and daughters of farmers, was 
begun a career of public school work that has continued, almost 
without interruption, until the present time. 

In the spring of 1853, with his three months' wages intact, as 
capital, he entered Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, N. Y. ; 
taught another district school the following winter, pursuing at 



— 86 — 

the same time his studies to such an extent that when lie returned 
to Lima, in the spring of 1854, he was upon examination admit- 
ted to the Sophomore Class of Genesee College. After completing 
the Junior year he took a letter of dismissal, and was admitted to 
the Senior Class of Union College, N. Y., from which he graduated 
in 1856. He had, by teaching during the winters and by working 
at mechanical work and in the harvest field during vacations, 
been enabled to keep up his expenses, and save a little money 
besides. 

After graduating, he taught the Union School at West 
Bloomfield, N. Y. In the fall of 1857 he went to Nashville, 
Tenn., and there obtained a position in the public schools; after 
teaching in a subordinate department one term he was assigned 
to a principalship, and ultimately the Howard School of 750 
pupils was placed m his charge. This position he held until the 
end of June. 1861. He had the supreme satisfaction of voting 
twice against the secession of Tennessee, but when the State at 
the second election decided to go with the Confederacy, he con- 
cluded that his usefulness there was at an end. 

In 1859, ^^ Nashville, he married Martha Eliza Huntington, 
his schoolmate of boyhood days in New York, and then an 
associate teacher. 

Leaving Nashville, he, with his wife, returned to their early 
home. North Bloomfield, N. Y., where was born to them, August 
28, 1 86 1, their only child, — Irving, — now Second Lieutenant of 
Engineers in the United States Army, having graduated at West 
Point, in June, 1884. 

In the fall of 1861, the family moved to Detroit, Mich., and 
Mr. Hale entered the law office of Hon. C I. Walker, as a 
student, where he remained until admitted to the bar in 1863- 
While pursuing his legal studies he taught an evening school, 
coached the son of Senator Jacob M. Howard who was fitting for 
college and taught three hours in the German-English School, — 
being compelled to do so to keep up expenses, the savings of 
himself and wife, of previous years, being locked up in Tennessee 



-87- 

in real estate and loans, and which for the time were unavailable, 
having been nominally confiscated as the property of a Union 
man. 

Although admitted to the bar, and ready to practice in all 
the courts of Michigan, he found that the extra labor undergone 
had told upon his health. Bronchitis had such a hold upon him 
that his physician ordered a change of climate and occupation. 

In the fall of 1863, leaving his wife and boy at North Bloom- 
field, he with his brother set out for Colorado, crossing the plains 
from Atchison to Denver, with a horse and buggy, reaching Cen- 
tral City, his brother's home, in October. During the following 
four years he dropped intellectual pursuits and sedentary habits, 
and engaged in out door work of various kinds — mechanical, 
mining, teaming, etc In 1865 he returned to New York for his 
family, crossing the plains both ways with a mule team. This 
was during the Indian troubles of 1865, and the journey 
westward covered a period of forty days. Emigrants were not 
allowed to travel, except with large trains, and picket guards were 
stationed every night. 

The course taken, restored his health completely, and in 1868 
he returned to his early love, accepting the principalship of the Cen- 
tral City Public Schools. This he retained until 1873, having in 
the mean time been elected to the office of County Superinten- 
dent of Schools of Gilpin County. In 1873 Governor Elbert 
appointed him Superintendent of Public Instruction for Colorado, 
to fill a vacancy, and re-appointed him for two years in 1874. 
He v/as continued in this office by Governor Routt, until the 
admission of Colorado as a State, in 1876. While Superinten- 
dent for the Territory, he framed and got through the Legisla- 
ture, a revised School Law, which has proved to be well adapted 
to the peculiarities of the wants of the State. 

In 1877, he was re-called to the management of the Central 
City Schools, which position he now (1885) occupies, being his 
fourteenth year therein, together with the County Superintendency. 

At the State election of 1878 he was elected by the Repub- 
lican party a Regent of the State University for six years. In 



— 88 — 

1 882 he was chosen Mayor of Central City, and again in 1883. 
Not one of the public offices held by Mr. Hale was sought by 
him, yet, at one and the same time, was he State Regent, County 
Superintendent of Schools, City Mayor, and Principal of Public 
Schools. 

Mr. Hale has had the satisfaction of witnessing and con- 
tributing to the advancement of the public schools of his State, 
from almost nothing in 1863, to a rank second to none in the 
Union. The fates seem to have kept him in the harness, and he 
has enjoyed the work. 



Part IV. 



State Educational Institutions. 



State Educational I 



NSTITUTIONS. 



Of these there are three, the University at Boulder, the 
Agricultural College at Fort Collins, and the School of Mines, at 
Golden. 

THE UNIVERSITY. 

The University of Colorado was incorporated by an act of 
the Territorial Legislature in i86i, and the location fixed at 
Boulder. In 1871 three public spirited citizens of Boulder 
donated fifty-two acres of land adjoining the city, valued at 
;^5,ooo. 

In 1874 the Territorial Legislature appropriated $15,000, 
and the citizens of Boulder appropriated an equal sum, in cash, 
for the purpose of erecting a building. 

In 1875 Congress set apart and reserved seventy-two sec- 
tions of the public lands for the support of the State University. 

In 1876 the Constitution of Colorado provided that, upon its 
adoption, the University at Boulder should become an institution 
of the State, thus entitling it to the lands appropriated by Con- 
gress, and further made provision for the management and con- 
trol of the University, and the first General Assembly of the State 
made provision for its permanent support by the levy of a tax of 
one-fifth of a mill annually upon the assessed valuation of the 
property of the State, and for a fund to be secured by the sale of 
lands donated by the United States. 

The institution was opened September, 1877, with two teach- 
ers and forty pupils. 

In 1878 the General Assembly appropriated $7,000 for fur- 
niture, apparatus, etc. 

In the .same year Mr. C. G. Buckingham donated $2,000 for 
a library. 

In 1882 the General Assembly appropriated one-fifth of a 



— 90 — 

mill for additional buildings, apparatus, books, etc., amounting to 
about ^35,000. 

The Medical Department was established in 1883. 

The first class (six) was graduated in June, 1881, each 
receiving the degree of A. B. 

The present faculty numbers thirteen, and the enrollment 
shows an attendance of ninety-four. 

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

The act creating the Agricultural College passed February, 

1877, when the State Board of Agriculture took hold of the enter- 
prise. Fort Collins was the chosen location, and on February 27, 

1878, it was voted to erect a building. The corner stone was 
laid July 29, 1878, and the building completed the same year, 
but the school was not formally opened until September i, 1879. 
The dormitory was erected in 1881, the chemical laboratory in 
1882, and thoroughly fitted in May, 1883. A small propagating 
house was built in 1882 to aid horticulture, while the present con- 
servatory, with curved roof and all modern appliances, was com- 
pleted September i, 1883 On the .same date the fine mechanic 
shop was abo completed, its machinery in order and ready to 
run. The College has developed gradually, until there are the 
following distinct departments, with skilled professors at the 
head : Agriculture, Horticulture and Botany, Physics and Chemis- 
try, Mathematics, Engineering, and Military Science. 

Music has been added more particularly for young ladies 
Of those called to the work of the institution all are present 
except Dr. E. E. Edwards, first President, Professor F. J. Annis 
and Professor Elwood Mead, who resigned in 188 1, 188 > and 
1884 respectively, and are now engaged in other fields of labor. 
The College was reorganized on a thorough industrial basis 
on the accession of the second President, C. L. IngersoU, when 
one full line of work was added to the curriculum. Since Sep- 
tember, 1, 1882, the growth has been steady and solid, the attend- 
ance in 1884-5 being ninety-six, and the graduates in June, 1885, 
numbering: nine. 



— 91 — 
THE SCHOOL OF MINES. 

The State School of Mines of Colorado was established by 
act of the Legislative Assembly (Territorial) in 1874. In 1879, 
the (State) General Assembly placed it upon a definite basis by 
setting apart a fixed tax (one-fifth of a mill) for its support, and 
in 1880 the south wing of the present building was erected, the 
faculty increased, and regular courses established ; thus enabling 
the School to insure a competent preparation of its students to 
fill any department of practical work in chemistry and engineering. 

In 1882, the building was greatly enlarged, and can now 
accommodate over one hundred students in technical courses, 
containing large lecture and cabinet halls, laboratories, reading 
room and library ; in all, including assay department, over twenty 
working, recitation, and office rooms. The laboratories and assay 
rooms are completely fitted for analytical research, and in this, as 
in all other departments, no appliance is lacking for the prosecu- 
tion of practical work. 

LOCATION. 

The institution is situated at Golden, sixteen miles west of 
Denver, on the Colorado Central railroad, at an elevation of 5,700 
feet. No place in the State has a better record for health, and for 
those acquainted with the climate of Colorado no further recom- 
mendation is needed. The mining districts of Clear Creek, 
Gilpin, and Boulder Counties, are all within three hours' ride , 
by rail. 

KEOUIKEIMENTS FOR ADMIS.SION. 

Candidates for admission must be not under seventeen years 
of age, and be able to sustain a satisfactory examination in English 
branches, especially higher arithmetic. Those desiring advanced 
standing upon entrance, will be examined in studies of the course 
below the class they propose to enter. A certificate from another 
institution of equal grade as to completion of any required sub- 
ject, will be accepted in lieu of an examination upon the same. 



— 92 — 

COURSES OF STUDY. 

There are three regular courses of study, viz: Mining 
Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Metallurgy, each covering 
a period of four years. During the first and second years the 
studies are the same for all the courses, after which they diverge 
into the more technical branches of each specific course. 

SUBJECTS TAUGHT. 

Chemistry and Assaying are taught chiefly by manipulation 
in the laboratories, which are the most complete of any in the 
West. 

Surveying includes a large amount of field work, to which 
certain days are entirely devoted. The use of instruments, plot- 
ting and mapping form essential parts of the course. 

In the course in Mining Engineering the instruction in the 
lecture room is supplemented by excursions to various mining 
and metallurgical works, for which the region offers unusual 
facilities. 

The course in Natural Philosophy is extended to laboratory 
practice in Photography and Electricity. 

Drawing, both free-hand and mechanical, has special rooms 
and hours devoted to it. 

The course in Mathematics is complete ; and is continued, 
the last year of all complete courses, to its application in machines 
and engineering. 

Geology is taught by lectures, ampl\^ illustrated by charts 
and specimens, and by frequent excursions. Few regions afford 
such a varied field of geological illustration, as the country within 
a radius of fifteen miles from Golden. 



THE STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. 
The State Industrial School is also at Golden. This is a 
reform school for boys, and was established in i88r. It has been 
from the first in charge of Mr. W. C. Sampson, and has been very 
successful in keeping and controlling its boys without high walls, 
or any prison appliances. 



Part V. 

Private and Denominational 
Institutions. 



Private and Denominational Institu- 
tions. 



Of such, founded by the enterprize and Hberahty of churches 
and individuals, the State is well supplied. In many of our cities 
and towns there are small private schools, so transient in character 
that no record can be obtained. 

There are others under the fostering care of various Christian 
churches which are important factors iit the educational facilities 
of the State. The following sketches of some of these in.stitu- 
tions have been prepared, in each case, by some friend ot the 
school . 



CATHOLIC SHOOLS. 



St. Mary's Academy, founded 1864, boarding institution for 
young ladies, under the direction of thirty Sisters of Loretto. 
Gives a thorough education with every accomplishment, and 
confers diplomas ; 75 boarders and 100 select day scholars. 

Cathedral Parochial School, under the direction of four Sisters 
of Loretto ; 200 pupils. 

St. Elizabeth's Parochial School, under the direction of three 
Sisters of Loretto; 125 pupils. 

Sacred Heart's Parochial School, under the direction of four 
Sisters of Charity; 250 pupils. 

St. Patrick's Parochial School, under the direction of three 
Sisters of St. Joseph; 125 pupils. 

St. Joseph's Parochial School, under the direction of two 
Sisters of the Good Shepherd, just opened; 40 pupils. 



94 



College of the Sacred Heart, conducted by the Jesuit 
Fathers; founded September, 1884. A collegiate school for boys. 

CENTRAL CITY. 

St. Patrick's Parochial School, founded in 1877, i^'iider the 
direction of four Sisters of St. Joseph ; 95 pupils. 

C.EOKCiETOWN. 

Parochial School, under the direction of three Sisters of St. 
Joseph ; 1 00 pupils. 

PUEBLO. 

Loretto Academy, founded some ten years ago, conducted 
by Sisters of Loretto, ten sisters ; 90 pupils. 

St. Patrick's Parochial School, under the direction of three 
Sisters of Charity; 145 pupils. 



St. Joseph's Academy, founded some ten years ago, under 
the direction of twelve Sisters of Charity ; 200 pupils. 

LEADVILLE. 

Parochial School, under the direction of seven Sisters of 
Charity ; 500 pupils. 

CONEJOS. 

Loretto Academy, founded about seven years ago, conducted 
by five Si-sters of Loretto ; lOO pupils. 



St. Mary's School, under the direction of three Sisters of 
Mercy ; 50 pupils. 

To the foregoing I might add the Institution of the Good 
Shepherd in this city, who have 135 children under their direction 
and training; also, the Orphan As}'lum, who have 80 children in 
their institution. 



— 95 — 
EPISCOPALIAN SCH(30LS. 

WOLFE HALL 

is a girls" school under the direction of the Rt. Rev. John F. 
Spalding, Bishop of Colorado. It was founded in 1867, and is 
now in its eighteenth year. It occupies the large school build- 
ing, begun in 1867 and enlarged in 1873 and 1879, situated on 
Champa street, between Sixteenth and Seventeenth, in the city of 
Denver. It derives its name from the late Mr. John D. Wolfe, 
of New York, a generous benefactor, and whose daughter. Miss 
Catherine D. Wolfe, has, since her father's death, aided the school 
with a liberal annual gift of money. It had for the year ending 
in June, 1885, 150 pupils, forty of whom were from outside the 
city of Denver. They are under the care and instruction of 
fifteen teachers and a chaplain, all of whom, except the four 
instructors in music and elocution, are resident in the Hall. 
French and German are taught by native teachers, and the 
departments of art and music are systematized into courses of 
study requiring a series of years for their completion. Besides 
its large constituency in Denver, its pupils come from all parts of 
Colorado, from Wyoming, Nebraska, New Mexico, Idaho and 
Oregon. It has a primary, intermediate and collegiate depart- 
ment. Into the latter no student is admitted without a thorough 
examination in preparatory studies. The Eclectic Club, a literar)- 
organization of the students, publishes the Wo//c Hall Banner, a 
monthly paper containing articles written by the students alone 
and current events of the school. There is also a missionary 
organization, the S Agnes Guild. The present Principal is Miss 
Frances M. Buchan. 

JAKVIS HALL. 

In 1868, Rt. Rev. Geo. M. Randall received a deed of twelve 
acres of land, near Golden, conditioned on the maintenance 
thereon of a collegiate school. He at once began the erection of 
a building with school-room for thirty pupils, alcoves for twenty 
boarding pupils, and living apartments for the necessary teachers. 
This building was, unfortunately, blown down on the morning of 



-96- 

Thanksgiving day of the same year. In the following winter 
Bishop Randall succeeded in securing money enough in the East 
and from friends in Denver to rebuild. Geo. A. Jarvis of Brook- 
lyn, New York, had given $5,000 towards the original building, 
and Bishop Randall had named the school, in honor of Abraham 
Jarvis, one of the earliest bishops of ("onnecticut, Jarvis Hall. 
Towards the rebuilding Mr. Jarvis gave an additional $2,000. 
The School was reopened in September, 1870, and near it was 
soon after built a building for a School of Mines, with money 
granted by the Territorial Legislature. In 1872, a third building 
for a Divinity School was erected with money given by Nathan 
Matthews, of Boston, Mass. On the fourth and sixth of April, 
1878, Matthews and Jarvis Hall were destroyed by fire; and, as 
the schools in Golden had never met the expectations of their 
friends, with the approval of their largest benefactors they were 
removed to Denver. 

Since 1879 Jarvis Hall has been carried on at its present 
site Year by year its friends have seen changes for the better in 
its educational management and in its external appearance. In 
1885 it was thoroughly rebuilt, much additional room being 
provided, and the plumbing, heating and ventilating apparatus 
were completely renewed. The building is now an additional 
ornament to the city, and the comfort and health of its occupants 
are as well provided for as in any school building in the town. 



CONGREGATIONALIST SCHOOLS. 

COLORADO gOLLEriE. 

The first organized college in Colorado is the memorial of a 
beautiful American girl, who lost her life for the love of learning. 
She came as a young consumptive to our Territory in the spring 
of 1873, and died the next autumn at the age of 14. When vis- 
iting General Palmer's residence one day, and looking at the 
eagles on the rocks and in the air, she suggested the " founding 
of a school near by, where youth inclined to pulmonary diseases 



— 97 — 

might learn to soar, as light of heart and strong of wing as old 
Glen Eyre's king of birds," whose life among the cliffs and flight 
above the clouds symbolized her own aspiring hope and faith, 
which sang at last, 

"Jesus, lover of my soul. 
Let me to thy bosom fly." 

Soon after "Florence Edward's" death her father, Professor 
T. N. Haskell, laid before the Congregational Conference, at 
Boulder, her idea of starting a college, open to both sexes and all 
races, and as their chosen Moderator he convened the Associa- 
tion again in Denver January, 20, 1874, to consider the proposi- 
tion of several towns in aid of such an enterprise. His address 
on that occasion was the first pamphlet published in Colorado 
upon "Collegiate Education" here, though many had spoken 
and thought of its importance before. The Conference gratefully 
accepted the offer from Colorado Springs of seventy acres of city 
land and ^lo.ooo cash, and appointed a Self Perpetuating Board 
of Trust, which should ever have a majority of Christian men to 
keep the college evangelical, non-sectarian, and in s\-mpathy 
with the progress of the age. 

The Trustees met at once, named the school Colorado Col- 
lege, and made Professor Haskell its General Agent, to solicit 
funds and help select a faculty. At his suggestion Rev. Jonathan 
Edwards, of Massachusetts, was engaged to open (May, 6, 1874) 
a Preparatory Department, and so many advanced students came 
that at the end of the first term a committee of educated men 
passed thirteen of them to the literary and scientific freshman 
rank. Meanwhile the Agent raised money for a temporary 
building and endowment pledges of several thousand dollars. 

The next year Rev. Mr. Dougherty, nominated by Dr. Stur- 
tevant, of Denver, became the President, and under him, though 
many of the students were diverted to other colleges and secular 
pursuits, the work went on. 

In 1876 Rev. E. P. Tenny was chosen to preside, aided by 
several professors from the East. May 31, 1878, he was duly 



-98- 

inaugurated. The new stone building, with the hbraiy, apparatus 
and college grounds were formally dedicated. Over 200 annual 
students were enrolled, and two, Parker Sedgewick Halleck and 
Frederick Welles Tuckernian, were graduated as " Colorado's first 
Bachelors of Arts." 

The patronage of the College grew, till, in 1884, for mone- 
tary mistakes, the Board unanimously voted the Presidency again 
vacant, which at this writing is still unfilled. The Faculty, Board 
and students, however, it is believed, were never doing better col- 
lege work than now Financial embarrassments have been 
removed, and ardent, able friends, both old and new, declare that 
Colorado College must not decline or die. Its founders deem it 
a memorial almost divine, and the land, deeded for its exclusive 
educational use, as inalienable and "holy ground." 

This denomination also has a school at Trinidad called 
Tillotson Academy, opened in 1884. 



METHODIST SCHOOLS. 

Colorado Seminary was chartered by the Territorial Legis- 
lature in 1864, and a two-story, four- room building erected on the 
corner of Arapahoe and Fourteenth streets, in which a school 
of academic grade was opened in the fall of the same year. Finan- 
cial embarrassment closed the school at the end of the first \'ear, 
and the building was ultimately sold for debt. It was bought 
by P>x-(jovernor John P>\'ans, and held by him imtil 1879, when 
he proposed to donate it to the cause of education if the Board 
of Trustees would reorganize under the provisions of the act of 
1864. This was done. Governor Evans, J. W. Bailey and others 
made large cash donations, new and commodious buildings were 
erected, and the property is now valued at $120,000. 

In 1880 the Universit}' of Denver was organized, and in the 
fall of that yci\v it began its work in the buildings owned b\' Col- 
orado Seminar), with Dr. D. II. IMoore as Chancellor. Under 
his direction, supported by an able Faculty, it has had a pros[)er- 



— 99 — 

ous career. The Trustees have recently purchased additional 
property and opened therein a School of Manual Training — the 
first of its kind west of St. Louis. In November, 1884, Mrs. E. 
Iliff-Warren offered to endow a theological school as a depart- 
ment of the University with ;^ioo,000, if other friends would 
raise $50,000 to endow other chairs. This having been done, the 
University may be regarded as having passed its infancy and 
entered upon its permanent work. 

It has a Primary, Preparatory and Collegiate Department. 
In the latter the standard for graduation is as high as that of any 
college in the countr}\ Its doors are open to both sexes. It 
has a boarding department in charge of the Dean of the Faculty 
and Lady Principal. It provides instruction in music and art. 

At South Pueblo the Southern Methodists have established 
the Collegiate Institute, opened in 1884. 



PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOLS. 

Under the auspices- of the Presbyterian Church a Prepara- 
tor)' Scliool was opened at Salida in 1883, a college at Del Norte 
in 1884, and another at Longmont in 1885. 



MILITARY INSTITUTE. 

At Cafion City is located the Military Institute, nominally 
under the auspices of the Grand Arm)' Posts. It was established 
in 1881. 



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